Don Johnstone wrote:

As I understand the argument, in a busy thermal responding
to a collision alarm posed by one glider could cause
the pilot to fly into the path of another glider which
up until the point of the alarm did not cause a threat.

1st, a collision warning system designed for gliders recognizes
thermalling. At least FLARM does.

But the problem indeed exists. Our club's gliders are all equipped with
FLARM, so I have some experience. Now when I hear an alarm, I look out
for the glider causing it. (Before someone asks: I've been looking out
all the time.) Now, as soon as I see a glider which *could* have
triggered the alarm, there's a *big* temptation to think that this
glider really *was* the cause, focus on this one and forget that there
could be another around without FLARM.

This doesn't say anything against FLARM, you just have to be aware of
the problem. (Actually, I'm pretty pro FLARM, as at least one friend
would probably still be alive had he and his opponent had one.)

But that's off topic. The topic was, how about a gear warning system. I
find it funny that pilots are considered to be able deal with many
really difficult situations, but not with the one when a gear warning
starts to beep near the ground.

Stefan