Bert Willing wrote:

The Grob was actually not infringing any airspace limitations.


May I add that it was a deliberate choice of the crew in the Airbus to
do the descent through uncontrolled airspace where they were informed that
giders were flying. The reaction of the authorities after this midair was
to change this uncontrolled airspace into clasd D airspace.
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The incident happened at Pic St. Loup, a glider site close to
the nice town of St. Martin de Londre, some 30k north of Montpellier.

When flying the wave in winter you could see the Airliners passing
nearby following the VOR track into Montpellier. All glider pilots
there are checked out and advised on the traffic situation. But within
the years the "free" airspace was cut down a lot in vertical and lateral
extension.

Anyway, it's a nice place and if you are in the region you should go
there and say Bonjour. A glider flight over the "Pic" is nice and an
aerotow through the rotor towards "Rocque Blanc" is exiting. In the clear
winter air during a 360 you can see the Mediterranean Sea, the Alps,
the Pyrenees and the beautiful landscape of l'Herault departement.

Cheers
Michael