Feds Want to Equipe Gliders With Transponders and Radios

I came across this technology on the web when I was researching the recent
ADS-B nprm. Looks like there's already some portable/handheld ADS-B type
equipment in use in Europe for the soaring community:

http://www.rf-developments.com/shop/...d&productId=26

http://www.rf-developments.com/shop/...d&productId=33

All based on some SSA technology called FLARM:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLARM

Maybe this will be a low cost answer to spamcans being forced into the ADS-B
regs.

Hrm. These devices are all based on something called FLARM. FLARM
works by detecting each aircraft's location via GPS and broadcasting
it on a license-free radio frequency. There are 2 things about FLARM
that make me uncomfortable:

First, the information needed for third party manufactures to build
FLARM compatible devices is not public. This means that Joe Bloggs
Avionics Corp can't build their own FLARM device at a cheaper price.
Instead you must buy from the FLARM company or another company that
has licensed FLARM. Imagine if transponders were like this! There
would be a government sactioned monopoly. I'm sure you can guess if
the price of transponders would be higher or lower then at present.

Secondly, as far as I know, all FLARMs are time-bombed. They stop
working after a certain date. After that time, you have to upgrade the
software to make it work again. Sure, this doesn't cost anything, but
what if the FLARM company goes bankrupt? If you can't get software
updates, your FLARM stops working!!

Disclaimer: I've had some personal involvement with the FLARM that's
left a bitter taste in my mouth. Back at university, I tried to make a
FLARM compatible device as a project. FLARM marketing material said
that the information to make third party devices compatible with FLARM
would be provided on request, in the interest of safety - after all,
the more aircraft fitted with anticollision systems the better. When I
actually asked for this information I was told no, it was not public
information after all. Sorry we changed our minds - you now have to
buy a license for all the electronics. I think it's wrong to promote
your product by saying it will be an open standard, then changing your
mind when it starts to get adopted.

I'm not saying that FLARM is a bad product; far from it. I've flown in
FLARM equipped gliders and feelt much safer doing so. But please keep
these points in mind.

Cheers

Al