On Sunday, July 12, 2015 at 7:30:07 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Friday, July 10, 2015 at 2:13:47 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Warning/Caution:

Surprised...thread has gone way off OP's intent.

Not really - the original OP's intent was to say that everybody should have a transponder to prevent the kind of midair that just happened between the Cessna 150 and the F-16. Since both of them had transponders, that is obviously not entirely correct.

My earlier comment about PowerFLARM was purely in reference to the PCAS function incorporated in PF - unlike others I think the approximately 30 seconds of warning that there is traffic closing at your altitude is extremely useful - because it gets your head out of the cockpit and your eyes focused on finding the approaching traffic. That is why I always have my ZAON PCAS when I fly power and non-PF club gliders, and have PF in my glider.

I didn't mean to suggest that GA should adopt PF - although it sure wouldn't hurt!

One comment on the whole "high speed jet" scenario: Unless you are transiting an active MOA, military aircraft will mostly be either be high up (above 18k) on an IFR flight plan (saving gas) or down low (below 1500' or so) on VR low level route. In a MOA or on a VR route they can be fast and maneuvering but a call to the local FSS will reveal if the MOA or VR route is active - if so it's a good idea to avoid them!

If the mil jet is in the IFR system (intrument ride, for example), they will be fying pretty much the same profile as a bizjet, perhaps a bit faster (300 to 350 knots until configured for landing, for example). Those speeds give you time to see and avoid, and that is where I think the benefit of a PCAS warning is highly valuable.

As far as waiting for F-16s, etc to get TCAS or ADS-B: Forget it. Probably never happen, because military jets are not certified and don't have to comply with FARs - and the budget wouldn't support it. I would expect the transports to get 1090ES ADS-b for international flights.

Sad event, interesting discussion, food for thought.

Kirk
66