Jack,

I know that a UK pilot removed a transponder aerial
from his glider part way through a Nationals competition
because he was losing too much performance in relation
to his competitors in similar gliders. Also I fly a
Standard Cirrus, so I need all the performance I can
get!

Derek Copeland

At 17:42 01 September 2006, Jack wrote:
Derek Copeland wrote:

If any anti-collision device of about the size, cost
and power consumption of a small portable GPS unit
becomes available, then I might be prepared to buy
one, especially if it doesn't require an externally
mounted aerial that reduces glider performance.


Derek, on how many of your best days of the year could
you tell the
difference with a tiny external 1030-1090 MHz antenna?
Yes, it's
expensive, but let's not get silly about performance
degradation.

Not keeping the pieces of the glider flying in close
formation will
degrade your personal performance considerably.


Jack