On 10/18/2010 9:25 PM, Derek C wrote:

If a low cost/low power collision alert device can be developed, I
would welcome it, especially if it gives me more access to Class D
airspace.

We all would welcome it, but what do we do until it appears? How many
years do we wait for our dream to come true?

I installed a Mode C transponder in my glider in 2002. At that time,
many pilots decided that transponders were a good idea, but they were
going to wait for the nifty new Mode S transponders with the lower cost
and lower current drain, which were going to be available "real soon
now". Well, seven (7!) years later, that nifty new Mode S transponder
was finally available - the Trig TT21!

I'm afraid this is what is going to happen now, where many pilots decide
that transponders, or Flarm, are a good idea, but they are going to wait
for the nifty new ADS-B transceivers with the lower cost and lower
current drain, which are going to be available "real soon now".

I have no crystal ball, but I expect it will also be many years before
these units are available. In the meantime, these pilots will ignore
usable, affordable devices they could install now (Flarm and
transponders). US pilots will have to wait till April next year for
Flarm, but the transponder everyone wanted in 2002 is available now.
The Americans seem to be forcing Mode S transponders on the whole
World purely because of problems around Reno Nevada!

Nonsense. Mode S is not required in the US for general aviation, only
for airliners. The US does not require transponders of any kind for
gliders and general aviation around Reno. Europe, however, is requiring
Mode S for some aircraft besides airliners. They have the density that
requires Mode S, the US doesn't. They are leading on this issue.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarmhttp://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl
- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz