Unlike Europe, where gliders are more separated from commercial
traffic, here in the USA we share airspace with commercial, military
and general aviation. *Our Tucson gliderport is right under an
incoming airway to Tucson International Airport and we have two other
nearby airports. *Since installing a transponder, I now deflect most
of the really heavy commercial and military traffic around me, but
still have concerns about others. *I nearly had a glider/glider head-
on with a fellow Tucson Soaring Club member a couple of years ago and
I have had close looks at a number of other planes, including a few
light twins and A-10s.

The only detection device that would be useful to me would alert me to
powered aircraft as well as gliders, and it seems that the new
PowerFLARM will do that. Whether or not it will be widely adopted at
its $1,500+ price point is another question.

Mike

If the new PowerFLARM works as both an ADS-B receiver and FLARM
transmitter/receiver AND serves as a secure flight recorder, then
$1,500 doesn't seem out of line. Not that I can afford it, but it
doesn't seem too crazy. Now, will powered aircraft with TCAS (Traffic
Collision Avoidance System) and ADS-B receive any type of signal from
the PowerFLARM? Will the Hawker 800 and other bizjets see me on their
electronic gadgets before physical contact with up close and personal
inspections are made?

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA