For goodness sakes, Peter. What is the difference between staring at
a PDA mounted on your panel, a flexable arm, or a kneeboard? For that
matter, my worst experiences are pilots (including myself) who are
trying to fold, unfold, refold, read, interpret, and otherwise use a
paper map in a glider cockpit. Your point of keeping your attention
outside the cockpit is well taken. My point is that it is not where
the device is...it is how the pilot uses it.

Especially in the southern Alps!!!!! An american pilot will be
overwhelmed by the density of traffic, the pure number of gliders
flying in such a small area.

Having said all that...I believe a pilot with a flying map on a PDA is
a lower risk than a pilot trying to manage a paper map. Providing, of
course, that the pilot has spent the time before the flight learning
how to use the darn thing and has completed all the programing ON THE
GROUND before the flight.

Guy