Is FLARM helpful?

On Monday, November 30, 2015 at 9:39:20 PM UTC-5, Dave Springford wrote:
Andy,

Thank you for your insights on this, I completely agree with all your points. I am hearing rumours that the rules committee is already planning to implement stealth mode for Nationals in 2016. How can this be when more pilots (point 5) want full flarm allowed than stealth mode?

I think Andy is overstating the data from the opinion poll. Everyone should look at the results again and read the comments. Anyone who is reading this discussion should also consider audience and contributors to RAS. This is a rather tech leaning group. Nothing wrong with that but it does not perfectly represent the soaring community.

The questions on FLARM are copied below. Make what you can out of them. Andy is referring to the last question in point 5 of his argument, I believe.

a) Flarm "radar" Hinders Enjoyment (in contests)- 24%
b) Flarm "radar" Enhances Enjoyment - 40%
c) Indifferent/no opinion/I haven't flown with FLARM - 34%

I don't know how you ignore the 34% who answered c) and then draw a conclusion that people are in favor of unlimited FLARM use at almost 2 to 1.

Reading the comments, I grouped the comments broadly into two groups, a) Love FLARM in contests let's use it to the fullest and b) Those who have reservations that full FLARM is the best for the sport. The latter means use stealth (competition) mode or no FLARM at all. I did not tally neutral comments like "let's see what the IGC does and match it", though that is certainly a valid opinion, too.

From the comments section: FLARM- go for it! - 23, FLARM - Stealth or no FLARM at all - 19

I hope I don't come off as argumentative, but the manufacturer of this technology has determined there was a technological need for a competition mode to their product and designed it. If there needs to be modifications to the collision warning algorithm or modifications to the parameters of the competition mode to account for Western conditions let's explore those options..


The rest of the FLARM questions from the opinion poll below.

XC


FLARM questions
With respect to FLARM at NATIONAL championships:
1) FLARM should be required equipment - 42%
2) It should be an organizer option as to whether FLARM is mandatory (like ELTs) - 23%
3) FLARM use should be left up to the individual pilot - 25%
4) FLARM should be prohibited - 2%
5) No preference - 4%
6) Other Opinion (use 2.8 comment box) - 2%

With respect to FLARM at REGIONAL contests:
1) FLARM should be required equipment - 21%
2) It should be an organizer option as to whether FLARM is mandatory (like ELTs) - 37%
3) FLARM should be left up to the individual pilot - 34%
4) FLARM should be prohibited - 2%
5) No preference - 3%
6) Other Opinion (use 2.8 comment box) - 3%



Stealth mode questions:

Background: when a FLARM is in "stealth" mode, the information it sees about other gliders, and information that other gliders can see about the stealth mode FLARM, is restricted to a short range and imminent collision threats. Call signs and climb rates are not shown. Imposing stealth mode is advocated to reduce gaggling and leeching and other tactical use of position data. Imposing stealth mode was tried at the Elmira 15 meter nationals. The nature of stealth mode is currently under review by the IGC, British Gliding Association and FLARM, aiming to improve collision alerts and minimize tactical information.

With respect to STEALTH mode in NATIONAL championships:
1) Stealth mode should be required for any FLARM - 30%
2) Stealth mode should be required/forbidden at the organizers' option -19%
3) Stealth mode should be used at the pilots' option - 24%
4) Stealth mode should be prohibited - 13%
5) No preference -11%
6) Other Opinion (use 2.8 comment box) - 3%

With respect to STEALTH mode in REGIONAL contests:
1) Stealth mode should be required for any FLARM - 20%
2) Stealth mode should be required/forbiden at the organizers' option - 22%
3) Stealth mode should be used at the pilots' option - 29%
4) Stealth mode should be prohibited - 17%
5) No preference - 11%
6) Other Opinion (use 2.8 comment box) - 2%

In your overall experience, is the use by yourself or others of FLARM to keep track of other gliders at range beyond imminent collision threats ("FLARM radar"), a feature that hinders your enjoyment of the contest, or enhances it? This is an overall question, considering safety, tactical use, the pleasure or pain of knowing where other gliders are, and anything else you feel relevant.
a) Flarm "radar" Hinders Enjoyment - 24%
b) Flarm "radar" Enhances Enjoyment - 40%
c) Indifferent/no opinion/I haven't flown with FLARM - 34%