"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
news:PjEIj.3585$lV1.2099@trndny06...
Tim Mara wrote:

The other problem with transponders in gliders is the false sense of
security it implies....to many it is "assumed" that this is like a shield
keeping everyone else aware of their presents as they go happily flying
along with their heads down looking at the wiz-bang flight
computer...this leads to more near misses and occasional hits than
electronics can avoid....I know of no Cherokee 140's or Cezna 172's
flying with TCAS on board

How many transponder equipped gliders, transponder on, have been hit by a
non-TCAS equipped general aviation aircraft? Is this really a problem? Can
it be addressed by training?


this sounds like an FAA response......sorry...but how many glider pilots
ahve ever even picked up a book after passing their parctical exam... I
"was" an FAA designated examiner....amazing how little most really know
about even the very basics in regulations or for that matter in the
gliders/airplanes they are flying...so don't simply think that "mandating"
some additional training is going to fit the bill....sorry...as a group we
are not all that smart!....seriously.... I'll ask you and everyone else to
take a "private" pilot written exam and see how many that are already flying
with that littel piece of paper that says "pilot certificate" that can pass
this today... I know I'd struggle!



....and I also know of a lot more glider pilots who will insist they only
turn on the transponder when they are flying down the glideslope of major
airports..

Sounds like a good start, doesn't it? I mean, we wouldn't be having this
discussion if the Reno glider had turned the transponder in that
situation. Again, perhaps a training issue.

Transponders are not the fix all for the problem,

In a sense, it would fix "all" the problem, if we think colliding with
airliners is our problem.

but mandatory transponders in k6's, 2-33's and 126's will certainly have
an impact on the sport as we "knew" it.

Yes, so I'm hoping any requirement for transponders recognizes that most
gliders aren't a hazard to airliners and other "controlled" traffic.

"hoping" the FAA will look at any requirement to benefit "recreational"
aviation is pretty optomistic... The FAA and every other government agency
is more in tune with voters and what is on CNN, 60 minutes and
20/20....you'll have to remember just what a very small voice glider pilots
have in the larger scheme of things...we are a very (ultra) small voice ....

The very best secenario we could hope for would ultimately be more
restricted airspace....ya I know you don't want to hear this if it affects
where you fly....but, it may boil down to making certain high traffic aeas
completely off limits or TCAS equipped 126's!...
just the simple truth....
tim





--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org