On 3/5/2011 5:47 PM, wrote:
Here's my summary on the topic...let me know where I am wrong....

In USA you can fly to 17,999' WITHOUT any transponder at all (class E
or G with some exceptions)

If you have a transponder rated only to 15,000", you must have the
transponder "on" and you can only fly to 15,000 (legally)

If you have the "high Power" transponder you can fly up to 17,999
legally

To fly a glider in class A you need "special permission" waiver etc or
whatever.

It is possible to get permission to above 18,000 without a transponder
at all. Wave camps, wave windows, etc.

It is probably more likely to get permission, with a transponder.

Why not just tell the nice man your transponder is only good to 15,000
when you ask permission to go into class A?

If you intend to fly above 15,000, why not just contact ATC and say
"I'm looking to fly above 15,000 but only have the low power
transponder?

If you fly above 15,000 regularly why not just buy the higher power
transponder in the first place?

If you have the old, low power transponder, I am sure it would be easy
to sell, or trade in for high power model!

We installed the trig TT21 in our club glider. One of our airline
pilot guys tried it out and contacted both NY approach, and
Philadelphia approach....both said the signal was very strong.
Probably with a proper install, and antenna the low watt transponder
may actually put out more power into the air than a poorly installed
high power transponder?? Also, we have an agreement to use 1201 code,
so they know it's a glider. Only trouble is, we seldom get that high
around here. State record is around 17,000......maybe somebody went
higher but never claimed..

I'm with Darryl on this one: if you think you need a transponder, put
one in your glider, ensure you have the batteries to run it for the
whole flight, and then _Turn_It_On_ when you fly. As long as you are in
the USA, flying VFR, there is no safety or operational reason for
choosing one transponder over the other. The most important thing is
having a transponder. All this fussing over whether it's a Class 1 or
Class 2 is a waste of time.

Buy the Trig 21 or 22, install it, and be happy (we'll all be safer).
ATC will be so pleased you did it that they won't ask you which one it
is, and you don't have to tell them. They don't care, as long as it
shows on their screen.

Or buy one of those old Beckers or Microaires that get traded in - they
are still fine units, and a used one is a lot cheaper than a new one.
Nine years and counting on my 175 watt Becker, so don't wait for mine!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what
you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz