Washington Examiner Editorial on "Glider Safety"

http://washingtonexaminer.com/time-f...rticle/2525829

"There have been at least 28 collisions or near misses and seven fatalities in crashes involving gliders and planes since 1998, according to federal data. The reason is that gliders are exempt from federal rules requiring planes to carry transponders"

Grate article!
MM

I wouldn't read to much into the 28 midairs or Near misses. I am aware of only two actual midairs where a transponder might have helped.

I was involved in a near miss last year, where I spotted the other aircraft more than 5 miles away and when i determined we were on a potential collision course maneuverd to ensure we were never closer than 1/2 mile. The other aircraft saw me and also made about a 10 degree course correction away from me even though we were already on diverging flight paths. As a result of this incident I have learned that it seems at least one companies policy is if they see a glider they will report it as a near miss. These kind of policies may be inflating the near miss numbers.


Brian

It's not what we knowing pilots read into it. It's what the media and Washington spin masters tell the public that matter.

On Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:58:00 PM UTC-5, Bill T wrote:
It's not what we knowing pilots read into it. It's what the media and Washington spin masters tell the public that matter.

This same editorial pops up in one of their papers every three to six months. IIRC the owner of the company had a near miss with a glider in his biz jet, and has had a bug up his ass ever since.

Pete

On 3/31/2013 9:45 PM, vontresc wrote:
On Sunday, March 31, 2013 10:58:00 PM UTC-5, Bill T wrote:
It's not what we knowing pilots read into it. It's what the media
and Washington spin masters tell the public that matter.

This same editorial pops up in one of their papers every three to six
months. IIRC the owner of the company had a near miss with a glider
in his biz jet, and has had a bug up his ass ever since.

Exactly. And the bug doesn't seem to know, or doesn't care, there are
far more airplanes without transponders than gliders.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

On Sunday, March 31, 2013 1:14:05 PM UTC-7, Tom K (ES) wrote:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/time-f...rticle/2525829

Let's mandate them in all drones first! IMHO these are going to be a bigger threat to safety than gliders, whose owners are increasingly installing transponders anyway.

Mike

I am absolutely sick of government regulations.

Having said that, I have a transponder installed in my glider, but it was
_my_ choice.


"Mike the Strike" wrote in message
...
On Sunday, March 31, 2013 1:14:05 PM UTC-7, Tom K (ES) wrote:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/time-f...rticle/2525829

Let's mandate them in all drones first! IMHO these are going to be a
bigger threat to safety than gliders, whose owners are increasingly
installing transponders anyway.

Mike

Absolutely - they make Americans drive on the wrong side of the road, for one! How about a bit of freedom to do our own thing?

Mike

Mike, you made my day with that!


"Mike the Strike" wrote in message
...
Absolutely - they make Americans drive on the wrong side of the road, for
one! How about a bit of freedom to do our own thing?

Mike