Transponder Praise

While not a really close call, I had my eyes opened last week, too.
Our airport is located between PHL and ACY (Class C) and Maguire AFB.
The heavies are rarely a problem but there is also an airway that
runs adjacent to the field and I try to keep extra vigilant when near
it. (I don't have a transponder). I was thermalling near the airway at
about 4000' when I saw four dots under a line at my altitude and they
appeared to be heading right at me. I moved away and watched a 747 go
by at a distance close enough to see that, while painted, it had no
logos showing anywhere. He wasn't heading toward PHL or ACY and didn't
appear to be climbing or descending and wasn't on the airway. He
wasn't flying in the "normal" places and I doubt he saw me. A few more
turns in the thermal w/o seeing him would have made things very
interesting. I think its time to invest in some electronic
insurance.

Mike