Without knowing the altitude, it is difficult to determine the class of
airspace. The class of airspace would make no difference as both were
allowed in the airspace.

More than likely there was a transponder in the tow plane. I will surmise
that the tow plane would not receive information from the Cirrus
transponder.
Depending on ATC radar coverage, the Cirrus being of modern avionics, might
might might have had information from the tow planes transponder.
But again, that depends on ATC radar coverage for TIS reporting.

VFR (VMC) condition prevailed. The Cirrus pilot should have yielded the
right of way to the tow operation, regardless of transponder information.


"Jody" wrote in message
...
On Feb 6, 5:59 pm, "BT" wrote:
A transponder in the glider would not have averted this accident.. the
news
media is taking the opportunity to again report inaccurate or half the
information.

The glider was on tow, within apx 200ft of his tow plane, The Cirrus TIS
system if used would not have 200ft accuracy.

Sad news for the tow pilot, and the Cirrus pilots.

"Jody" wrote in message

...



This doesn't look good for our sport. It seems that the Cirrus hit
the towline and the towplane and Cirrus went down despite the
ballistic chute on the Cirrus. The glider released and landed
safely. But guess where the blame will lay....
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...dead_when_glid...

This may be the last straw for gliders having mandatory
transponders....

Would a transponder in the towplane have made any difference? What
class airspace would this have occured in?