As an instrument-rated power pilot, I have always flown VFR with flight following, or when not using flight following, I would tune in the CTAF of airports as I flew near, esp in copters. My airplane has both weather and a TCAS overlaid on the moving map. More information was always better.

Getting into a glider with no electrical system, and no traffic or communications, was very cool, so long as I was flying around the airport. But as soon as I started longer flights and XC flights, I went out and bought myself a good handheld radio and a PowerFlarm, but I still feel naked flying without a transponder, especially surrounding Reno.

There are three competing factors, as far as I can see, to not wanting "gear" in the aircraft: cost, feeling of independence, and safety. My first priority has always been safety, and I have spent the money to buy the gear I needed, since I thought it was a good as an insurance premium. But I definitely love the feeling of independence that comes from flying around, no engine, and no radio waves. Gliding has always been a low-cost business, and I know that there are a lot of people out there who save every penny to fly.

There's also the argument about "keeping your head outside the cockpit," which I totally agree on, and that's why its important for any traffic alerting system (like the vario) to be audible.

--b