On Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 12:30:16 PM UTC-4, Sean Fidler wrote:
I just listened to this news on a major news network and pseudo confirmed it he http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1374687

The newsperson actually said, "Why didn't this glider have a transponder, why wasn't this glider talking to someone, how is this possible…" live on the air.

I continue to believe that the sailplane community needs to fully adopt ADSB and transponders whenever outside of 3 miles of the airport (for basic training). Getting an exemption was a big mistake. Sailplane flying cross country, near major airspace, or at high altitudes should absolutely have ADSB and/or 250 watt transponders.

The awful scenario we are all worried about IS going to happen eventually.. Its simply a matter of: A) was the gliding community pro safety or B) was the gliding community defiant and trying to wiggle out of safety and make special exceptions for itself.

When IT happens, the result will be unfortunate if we are still on the B path, as we are now…

I am seriously considering adding a transponder to my DG808C but I am not convinced it will add a lot to my protection against military collisions on MTRs. Please read the following NTSB letter. It is chilling. It involves a formation of 2 F-16s and a C172, resulting in a fatality. The C172 did everything right. The controllers at ATC, and the F-16 failed him.
https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-r...s/A02_15_19.pd
it is a long, sobering read. There are many MTR "close encounters" and ATC cannot cope with the traffic.