On Monday, June 4, 2012 2:59:08 PM UTC+9, noel.wade wrote:
On Jun 3, 6:51*pm, RAS56 wrote:
But c'mon now...for those of us who don't like to spend our time off upside down in our cockpits chasing wires, fussing with antennas

RAS56 - Sounds like you're worrying about alot without even
investigating things. You want to keep it simple?

STEP 1: Buy a Portable PowerFLARM
STEP 2: Stick it on top of your glareshield
STEP 3: Make sure the antennas are pointed straight up.
STEP 4: (Optional?) Run a wire from your power-bus/battery to the
PowerFLARM.

How hard is that?

--Noel

Mr. Wade, I have investigated it probably more than the average glider pilot in the USA, seeing as how my name was one the list for a delivery until I ask it to be removed. I've probably missed an update or two as my interest has waned as the system has entered service with the problems it's had.

I have modeled the PF portable in the recommended position of my ASW glider and my take was
that it would be a major problem getting the antennas vertical between the glare shield and the
canopy.

Also, with it there I was very concerned with the amount of sky immediately in front of the aircraft blocked by an installation like this. With "see and avoid" STILL the main way to avoid a collision, doesn't it seem obvious to not install something that blocks your ability to effectively clear immediately in front of your glider? I have a large amount of time in the back seat of a T-38 trainer. You wouldn't believe how a simple thing like placement of the whiskey compass (upper RH side of front canopy bow) complicated a simple thing like runway aim point from back there when you had a left crosswind. It could cover a large section of what you were hoping was the touchdown zone on a 300' wide runway! Sticking a PF portable up there can have the same effect, in effect creating a large blind spot right where the threat is highest.

Since the vast majority of the USA glider fleet will not have any Flarm equipment ( I would be the only adopter in my 50+ member central US glider operation for example) reducing my ability to clear would be a net decrease, not increase in safety at my location. Others I'm sure would think likewise.

For those reasons, I decided to put my dollars into the brick version, which with antennas protruding still creates a clearing problem, just not one as severe as with the portable. However, when I began to hear the aforementioned problems getting the brick working correct, I decided to step off the technology treadmill and wait for NextGen Flarm to arrive. One with all the promised features working, that doesn't affect me seeing the bogie and is user -friendly in install, use and maintenance. I am confident, if the system delivers as promised, that that future version will arrive, and when it does I will be happy to plunk down my hard-earned dollars for one.

Regards,

RAS56