Ray Lovinggood wrote:
Doug,

You don't have to have a transponder to get the controllers
to know you are there. True, I'm not talking 'Flight
Following' but more like 'Flight Awareness.'

On occassions, I have called the local controllers
for the Class C airport (RDU) and let them know I was
there and was monitoring their frequency. They would
first reply to 'Squak' such and such and I would tell
them I didn't have a transponder. They would then
find me on radar. Ok, maybe they aren't as busy as
some other locations, but at least I make them aware
that I'm out there. Occassionaly, they might call
up and ask how I'm doing, and just being friendly.

Chinook approach near our local airliner airport (PSC) responds the same
way. The non-transponder equipped gliders often call them shortly after
take-off, and they usually spot everyone until we leave on course. I
assume Approach could be alerted at other airliner airports, too, and I
think some of the guys do that, too.

--
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Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
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