Hi,

I think we will see a lot of software and hardware in the near future that
will allow us to see the climb rates of gliders in our area. The rules
committee will have to figure out how to deal with that. I don't see how
they can tell a pilot not to use their favorite soaring software or their
FLARM (or similar device).

Telling them not to use their FLARM would be like asking for a lawsuit
should they get into an accident. I don't think any contest manager would
ever do that.

Also, it could be argued that seeing climb rates of nearby gliders is a
safety enhancement because it can help you avoid a landout - given than
landout is less safe then landing at an airport.

It will be very interesting to see how this develops.

Check out the image on my SeeYou page of the new FLARM radar. I think it is
really cool! But I'm a techno-nerd...
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/seeyou.htm

Certainly this is not much of an issue in the USA at this time because very
few gliders are using FLARM here. But in a year or 2 we may have low cost
ADS-B units that will offer the same functionality in SeeYou and other
software.

Like all new technologies I'm sure that some pilots will embrace it and
others will not want themselves or others to use it. But I'm pretty certain
that it is going to happen. I think it will increase the level of safety and
fun.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde

"Gary Emerson" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
WinPilot 9.0b Flarm

FLARM: Added ability to track several other gliders in the vicinity
that also carry FLARM on board. WinPilot can now show wisually the
position of the other gliders, their bearing, and also indicate
weather or not they are climbing, and if so, what their current climb
rate is.



Richard
www.craggyaero.com



Don't the rules prohibit any thermal detection system that has a range
beyond the wingtip of the glider?? Seems like any system that provides
location and climb rate is violating the INTENT of the rule.

I completely agree that proximity detection is a benefit to safety, but
I'll bet that unless the software programmers elect to limit the data that
could be used to a competitive advantage on their own that we'll
ultimately see new rules come into play that will force that requirement.