On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:00:25 -0400, Peter R. wrote:

Andrew Gideon wrote:

That's not really in question. The issue is whether or not it is a good
investment given a working mode C transponder.

Yes, I realized after I sent up the post that you were more interested in
the future of TIS, rather than the present. Sorry 'bout that.

No worries. I (1) wanted to be clear that we're not in disagreement, and
(2) am still hoping for more insight into this.

It's not just about the future of TIS, though of course that is a factor.
But it is also a matter of the value of the investment in TIS even given a
limited lifespan.

I could reason, for example: one midair can ruin your whole day. Since
coverage for TIS is better *today* than ADS-B's TIS-B, and will remain so
for at least a while, a few thousand dollars is worth investing in this
dead end technology.

On the other hand, there's the "we've gotten along with those fancy gizmos
for years" reasoning.

On yet a third hand: Not everyone has "gotten along", as NTSB reports
clearly show.

Still, how far can one take that reasoning before flying itself becomes
and unacceptable risk?

- Andrew