On Monday, August 4, 2014 10:55:55 AM UTC-7, Stats Watcher wrote:
At 16:11 04 August 2014, Ramy wrote:

Still hoping to hear about Flarm status in all the midairs

mentioned and if

they all happened in crowded gaggles. Understandably Flarm

effectiveness

diminishes in crowded thermals.



Ramy





Of the 3 incidents, 3 of the 6 gliders are confirmed as carrying

FLARM, the status of the other 3 is still not confirmed, so they too

could have been.



In 1 incident 2 FLARM carrying gliders flew alone in a thermal for 13

turns before hitting each other.



Overall given the number/rate of Flarm carrying gliders in the UK

they are significantly over represented in these recent stats. The

conclusion maybe that for some reason carrying FLARM increases

the risk of collision compared to not carrying it! ... discuss...

Complacency?

I continue to refer to my Flarm brick as an in-flight entertainment system, not a collision detection system. It contributes to situational awareness, but only the pilot can prevent collision.

Statistically speaking, one could propose a number of reasons why gliders with Flarm are more likely to be flying in gaggles and therefore more at risk of collision (more active pilots with newer equipment, more likely to be flying in contests, etc.).