On Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 10:34:01 AM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:

While the battery issue was a good argument long ago, it isn't valid anymore. A single 10AH lithium will run what most people have in the cockpit - including an active transponder - for more hours than there are daylight. The equipment is much more power efficient, and the batteries better

And this will likely be worked in to the response of why there is no need to take away the exemption. Voluntary installation is being accomplished in the areas that need it most. Battery technology is improving so a repeat of the event of 2006 (transponder off to conserve battery for radio) is much less likely to be repeated. Requiring mandatory installation, even if limited to "just gliders" is still going to be a significant financial burden, just as it was when the initial exemption was created. Maybe even more-so now, as the cost of the hardware continues to increase.

In further reading of the spec for TABS, it will not be a low cost option as the initial intent of COTS type GPS has been lost in the requirements. My suspicion is that a Trig TT22 will cost less than the first TABS system to hit the market.

SSA is aware of this ANPRM, and is discussing how to respond.

Steve Leonard
Region 10 SSA Director (among other things)