Meeting to discuss FLARM in the USA

Hi,

FLARM has become extremely popular in several regions of the world (Europe,
and Australia, and ...?), but it has not been "allowed" in the USA so far.
However, there are several gliders flying with FLARM here in the USA. It is
a great technology solution and safety enhancer. But technical and
liability hurdles exist here in the USA. Everyone that I've talked to that
uses FLARM in their glider loves it - especially in contests or at crowded
soaring sites, or along crowded ridges.

I would like to invite you to an informal brainstorming session on "How we
can make FLARM (or something similar) work here in the USA". The meeting
will be held on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008, from 4 to 5 PM in a small
conference room in the convention center that is hosting the SSA Convention.
Details on the meeting location will be available in the future.

This is not a marketing discussion and I will not be promoting any products.
The goal is to gather technical people together to figure out how we can use
FLARM in the USA.

Topics may include:
- FLARM Europe and FLARM Australia (OzFLARM) use different frequencies (I
think) - will either work here? If so, which one should we use?
- The FCC may (or may not) need to be contacted to figure out what
frequency to use. Or do we want to just start using it without permission
and remain "under the radar". (I prefer that it be approved by the FCC and
FLARM.)
- FLARM in Europe doesn't seem to want to allow its use here. What can we
do to change their mind? Can it be licensed and built here in the USA as it
is in Australia?
- Can we create or use a different technology that would also work for
small aircraft?
- How do the FAA's plans to implement ADSB impact this discussion? In the
short run that looks like an extremely expensive solution for the aircraft
owner.

Since I could potentially benefit from the sale of FLARM devices, I would
prefer not to run the meeting. Does anyone else want to volunteer to run
it - or co-run it? Eric Greenwell and/or Tom Serkowski come to mind as
technology minded glider pilots that may be good for the job.

I am looking forward to the meeting already. I hope you will join us.
There is no need to RSVP. My guess is that the room will be very full.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.