Flarm saved my a$$ 2 weeks ago north of Samadan (just southwest from
Innsbruck). Snowline at 2000 meters,we were at 2300 meters flying
under the edge of a cloud Flarm warning goes off. Couldn't see
anything but rolled into a tight climbing turn. Directly in front,
backdrop of snow, was a Duo on the nose going for the same thermal. As
soon as we pulled up and turned the Duo rolled the other direction. No
harm no foul, no Flarm?????

2 sailplanes at the same altitude, snow on the rocks in the
background, we were doing 170KMH and he was probably moving pretty
fast also. Within seconds of the Flarm warning we would have been
turning and climbing into the thermal. Would we have seen the Dou? I
would like to think so! Should my family rely on that happening? That
is one to think about.

I know Flarm is probably not the answer in the US, not enough planes
have Flarm already to get critical mass. Here in the Alps and Germany
most XC planes are now equipped but there are still enough without to
cause some problems.

Please, keep a good lookout!

Bob