On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 5:10:21 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 5:32:05 PM UTC-4, Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 1:21:42 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
When gliders are required to install Mode-S transponders, will high performance aircraft be required to install TCAS?

You likely need to define what you mean by "high-performance", it is probably not what I mean by high-performance (light-jet up to airliners).

A high performance aircraft (according to 61.31) is an aircraft with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. I'm mostly concerned with those that fly too fast for practical 'see and avoid' and with pilots who are not aware of gliders.

I get occasional benefit from my Trig TT-21. If more high performance planes had TCAS, I'd get more benefit.

Many of those very fast aircraft (light jets on up) are already TCAS equipped. TCAS in 200+ hp singles, forget about it. Low-end TCAS II in GA/light jets is ~$20k+ (Garmin GTS 8000), plus compatible transponder, plus displays, plus install costs, plus STC/approval hassles, which is an amazingly low price for TCAS-II but still expensive if it is possible at all in a particular small GA aircraft.

Mandating TCAS in GA piston aircraft is just never going to happen. Not with much more affordable ADS-B solutions aimed at the low-end GA market, and not with the FAA pushing the hell out of ADS-B. And think carefully if you want to argue a position that AOPA and EAA and other aviation lobby groups would find silly and just offensive. But as more GA aircraft get ADS-B In (and Out) they can at least see you transponder via TIS-B (when in both SSR and ADS-B ground coverage) and ADS-B Out or TABS if they are installed (as I expect will likely end up being mandated for gliders...). Once many GA aircraft are equipped with ADS-B Out it is very compelling for them to also equip with ADS-B In to be able to receive all FAA ADS-B services. Portable dual link ADS-B In receivers are $1k today, add your own tablet display.