Scared of mid-airs

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 11:35:46 -0500, "Jim Macklin"
wrote in
sm5zg.84645$ZW3.36876@dukeread04::


True, but often they have an AWACS or military ground radar.


True. But how often can military ground radar paint low level
targets?

To me, if the military is going to train at high-speed in joint use
airspace in the same sky as civil aircraft (most all of which are
equipped with Mode C transponders), it would be prudent for those
aircraft to be TCAS equipped. But, I suppose we'll have to wait for
more military/civil midair collisions before anything is done about,
if then.

Larry, how about once getting your facts straight? All current
production US fighters (and most operational ones - except A-10s, early
F-16s, and early F-18s) have transponder interrogators perfectly
capable of detecting Mode 3/C transponders, using any squawk. Most
also have PD radars that can easily detect conflicting traffic over a
120 degree cone in front - at low altitude. And AWACS can see both.
So what is your problem, other than a pathological hatred of the
military? You seem to think military aviators are oblivious to the
threat of mid-airs. Newsflash, dude - they are much better trained,
more professional, and safer than any civilian bug-smasher driver - and
I've been on both sides.

If civilians read the NOTAMS, checked their charts (oh yeah - remember
those?), and did a little preflight planning, they could easily avoid
conflict with military traffic. But that would take some precious time
and effort, wouldn't it.

How about getting civilian pilots to stay current, not fly in IMC
without a clearance or training, and maintain their aircraft to minimum
levels of safety - then you would possibly see a decrease in GA
accidents and fatalities.

Kirk
2000 hrs in F-4s
100 hours in AWACS
600 hours in ASEL
2000 hours in gliders