On Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:56:29 +0200, BruceGreeff
wrote:

I think there is too much FUD around Flarm (That's IBM speak for Fear
Uncertainty and Doubt)

We've been through the same "FUD" in Italy ;-)

Experience of introducing Flarm in the south African racing environment
was effectively painless. There was never a decrease in safety
attributable to Flarm.

I've flown more than 20 competitions, maybe 30, since Flarm was
available in Europe (2005 I think). So far, the races have been safer
in my opinion. No collisions between Flarm-equipped gliders.

To my knowledge there was no material increase in leeching. If you can
keep up to leech, the Flarm is unlikely to help much...

Since Flarm "radar" or display has been available (a couple of racing
seasons), it has been just a little easier to catch-up with a glider I
was trying to leech, after I lost visual contact for a while.

If you are close enough to the other thermal to be able to use the
information about relative climb rate - you can probably verify the
differential as effectively visually.

The climb rate is so unreliable (most probably uncompensated) that it
never helped me locate a thermal I didn't see earlier (gliders, birds
etc.).
It has helped me understand that I was not centered correctly, on some
occasions.
Once the two glider are established in the same thermal in a steady
climb, the value shown by the display becomes comparable and reliable.
By them it's too late to be of any use except: "darn, I have to
squeeze the best lift there apparently is".

Under cloudstreets, or convergence lines, it is now easier to compare
the different flight paths and decisions. I may say that I now learn
much more from each flight.


Have contests become safer?

I believe contest are safer. And, some may be surprised by this
statement, more fun for me.
Let me explain. Racing gliders are now a bit easier to spot in the
sky, and I get more "awareness" of how they're doing. So, I feel more
involved.

. There are at least three pilots who would still be with
us if they had Flarm working.

Same in Italy. There was a collision, killing one. The other glider
had no Flarm on board.


Some use it well, some don't - as with everything.

Cloud flying is prohibited in Italy. In the pre-start tactical game, I
have seen Flarm objects flying higher than cloudbase, above me.
Was Flarm only a witness of their behaviour, or an encouragement? I
don't know, but I know that loggers and software allow for analysis
and, if guilty, penalization of the offenders.

aldo cernezzi
-
www.voloavela.it
The Italian Gliding magazine



Cheers
Bruce