On Monday, October 1, 2012 10:43:12 PM UTC-7, (unknown) wrote:
Hey John:



How about we all look outside for things we would prefer not to midair?



The nature and volume of discussion regarding "climb maximizer" screens suggests that many pilots are seriously focused "head-down" while thermaling..



I know everyone will soundly proclaim that this is absolutely not the case and that they are maintaining an appropriate traffic scan and situational awareness while simultaneously checking the maximizer screen but I do not believe it.



Are glider pilots becoming the airborne equivalent of the modern teen-ager who walks into the shopping mall fountain, head-down while staring at their electronic devices? I tend to believe this is true which leaves me horrified.



The solution? FLARM, of course!



Addictions come in many flavors.

This is why presentation is so important. All of these climb maximizers are working with the same data. WP is doing a much better job of presenting it.. On SYMs version, you will be studying the screen trying to interpret it - on WP a 1/2 second glance (quite literally) is all that is required.

This is also why I am concerned about it taking 9+ button pushes to change a turn point. In terms of eyes-in-the-cockpit, that is a much more serious situation, requiring maybe 30 seconds of concentrated effort - vs. 3 seconds or so for the better products.