Wow! So much is assumed about the usefulness of PowerFLARM in so-called "radar mode." Its painful to read the assumption, marketing based arguments some are making loudly. FLARM itself strongly recommends not using STEALTH mode as it significantly reduces to capability of the system. Pretty clear to me. But some really want to go after this latest technology ban. Why? An apparent deathly fear of new technology. Almost a phobia. We have seen it many times before, yet it is all here! Radio's. Vario's. GPS. Eyeglasses.

Again, I vote (and did so in the SSA Contest pilot poll weeks ago) for ABSOLUTELY NO restrictions, limitations or complications of any kind to the implementation and adoption of PowerFLARM until such time that:

A) PowerFLARM adoption reaches a level of completeness that satisfies the initial goals (Mandatory in contests and strong growth in general US soaring) and

B) it is OBJECTIVELY PROVEN beyond a shadow of a doubt that so-called Flarm leeching is reasonably possible.

To review: The goal of powerFLARM is improved safety generally in all environments (towing, clubs, contests) and a general reduction of collisions...such as the one that happened in the US a few months back at the World Championships.

That's right. A nearly fatal collision just occurred in the USA where a glider was lost, a pilot was forced to bail out and was knocked unconscious on the parachute landing. Thankfully he was OK...but the truth is that collisions are STILL OCCURRING, statistically very often. Very little was said about this accident and the numerous other accidents at that event. Near misses are all to common in US contest soaring and in clubs. Collision safety is a huge concern worldwide. Regardless of these facts, some really want to ban important aspects of this impressive new innovation in soaring safety before it even gets started. Some seem more concerned about crushing any small almost impossibly unrealistic chance of improved "leeching" than achieving original goal of the system...SAFETY and prevention of needless fatal collision accidents of our friends.

Safety needs to be doubled down on at all costs.

It should be the policy of the US rules committee to error DEEPLY on the the side of SAFETY. I think this is true in most cases. But FLARM and collision risk is not the area to screw around with at this point. Most pilots in the US are still relying on "chance" to avoid collision. A collision occurs when both pilots do not see eachother. It is clear that visual scan's are not sufficient and never will be. Without PowerFLARM or better technology, it's only a matter of time until you have your collision. We need to do better!

When looking at those involved in these arguments, ask yourselves the following questions: 1) Who is concerned about general safety off the soaring community? 2) Who here is concerned about the slim potential for leeching harming THEM in a contest? What is the motivation? Expand safety without comprimise? Or personal concerns? Answer those questions and I think you will have some useful intelligence on this discussion. Is the PowerFLARM system worth working on a ban for the minuscule chance that someone could actually follow (LEECH) you at greater speed from outside visual range with the PowerFLARM and LX 8000?

Give me a break!!!!!! Lets move on and focus on more productive things this winter.

Sincerely,

Sean
F2