Interesting read, it has glider pilot creation written all over it. My first impression was that it looks wirey (just invented a new word). I then spent 15 minutes on the net to price the components (identical in most cases but a few exceptions). I got a total of just under $100 on Amazon and Ebay 'buy it now'. I did not include for battery or PDA.
You have 2 types of pilots, the competition guy and the week-end warrior. In most cases, the comp guy is going to have a high end ship and therefore the $1700 powerflarm is an acceptable cost, the week end warriors on the other hand can have a system for approx. 200 bucks (estimating background, take the cost and double it).
I sounds like Linar has started something and based on the above still has some bugs to sort out but Hey! Is is a start.
I will definitely keeps tabs on this thread.

mas