Gliders and Transponders......again.

kd6veb wrote:
Hi Gang
Without belaboring it I think it has been said enough times that
currently there is no single fool proof way to guaranty avoiding mid
airs. Having an operating transponder, without argument, will diminish
your chance of a mid air since both ATC and aircraft with TCAS or PCAS
will see you. You may not see them and that is why in my world,
without argument, you should also have, at the minimum, a PCAS so that
you will see another aircraft with an operating transponder. A Zaon
PCAS can be had for only $500 - a trivial amount when it comes to
safety. I don't know why we are still discussing these issues -
transponders and PCAS are mandatory safety devices in my world. I
can't think of a reason why anyone would think otherwise.

And, where I fly in southeastern Washington state, you don't even need
to have either to benefit from transponder technology. Just contact the
area's Approach Control - Free! - and they are happy to alert other
aircraft they are talking to about your location. Often, they can track
your primary target and warn YOU of approaching aircraft that are not
talking to ATC.

After 5 years of not seeing an airliner, light jet, or even a big twin
near me, the transponder seems like cheap insurance. I've had the MRX
for only two years, and it's pretty good at catching the Cessna types,
which I still see now and then.

This stuff works.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org