Why not put an audible variometer in every glider?

On Wednesday, June 5, 2013 9:53:04 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wednesday, June 5, 2013 6:21:45 AM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:

We've circled back to the original topic question that I posted. Is there really such a stark contrast between UK and USA pilots on this matter? I wonder if it springs from the government regulation of USA gliding by the FAA, whereas UK gliding is "self-regulated" by the BGA.


What does the FAA have to do with this all? I don't get it... Just like in the UK, most gliders in Germany and France are club-owned and very well equipped and yes, that included audio varios even back in the 80's when I flew there. Parachutes were mandatory for all seats even back then.

Herb

How do you explain the starkly contrasting attitudes (between UK/Germany/France and the USA) wrt equipping trainers? I'm grasping at straws when I raise the BGA vs. FAA/SSA/NTSB/AOPA regulatory approaches, but those approaches, and the regulations, and the equipment of trainers is quite different. Perhaps the regulatory environment affects our attitudes and behavior, especially when so many regulations are known or taken to be bogus. (For example the FARs wrt oxygen use are known to be based on wrong and out-of-date scientific knowledge.)

How do you explain the starkly contrasting attitudes (between UK/Germany/France and the USA) wrt equipping trainers? I'm grasping at straws when I raise the BGA vs. FAA/SSA/NTSB/AOPA regulatory approaches, but those approaches, and the regulations, and the equipment of trainers is quite different.. Perhaps the regulatory environment affects our attitudes and behavior, especially when so many regulations are known or taken to be bogus. (For example the FARs wrt oxygen use are known to be based on wrong and out-of-date scientific knowledge.)



A quick look at the (UK BGA) regulations shows using a parachute is a recommended practice, as is the use of an audio vario. However, radio is not mandated, nor FLARM. But radio is very (90%) common in the 100 or so gliders at my club. FLARM is present in 50% and increasing of cross country gliders, and 100% of the 11 club gliders. I think these things become expected - and as Martin pointed out, are safety issues in high traffic density airspace.



Paul

Originally Posted by son_of_flubber

Here is something that you might be able to do to improve glider safety for everybody (yourself included).

Buy yourself a brand new variometer (you deserve it!). Give your old "perfectly good audible variometer" to a club, a commercial training operation, or one of those pocket-empty "first glider" owners that need to buy all of the "extras" that he/she needs. (Dang! that list is long: parachute, wing wheel, trailer repairs, new batteries etc., etc...).

Post the availability of your generous gift to RAS.

If somebody is clever, knowledgeable and motivated, they might set up a program with SSA that would get you a tax-deduction for your charitable gift of a valuable variometer and direct the vario to a waiting list of deserving clubs.

I recently learned to fly gliders at three otherwise excellent clubs. None of the trainers had audible variometers. Now I have to break the bad habit of frequently looking at the vario needle. Dumb. BTW, I have an audio variometer, but I don't have the skill to use it.

I learned to fly at a commercial operation in a L23 without an audible vario. I did an add on to a commercial rating and during my training rarely found lift...November and December in Florida lift is rare in the AM student training sessions.

When I did find myself encountering lift and trying to learn to thermal I did notice that I was spending too much time with my eyes inside watching the needle and not outside looking for traffic where they should be. Reading the posts here on Aviation Banter I realized the need for several accoutrements and purchased an Ascent Audio Vario and found it to be quite helpful. I also bought a good hand held radio and a parachute. I must stop reading this page as it has cost me 3000 bucks so far. Just kidding...good information and safety is what it's all about.

Walt Connelly