Confessions of a Flarm Follower

In fact the same arguments used against Flarm (replaces pilot skill with technology) is at least as true of every other instrument in the panel. It is becoming increasingly clear that the detractors of Flarm are simply technophobes. If they believed what they said, they would also be advocating the banning of variometers, altimeters, GPS, compasses, laminar flow airfoils, etc. What are these after all, but attempts to apply technology to gain an advantage, and far more effective ones than Flarm? The really good pilots can fly without them.

you have one part of it wrong. no one is "afraid" of flarm. i wouldn't call detractors of flarm technophobes at all. most of those dudes (and ladies) have installed a TV screen front and center in their panel. i think labeling them as technophobes is a dismissive negative generalization that is viewed as hard to contest. well i'm contesting it. "oh... they're just technophobes, tsk tsk that won't do."

i don't agree with that at all. the truth is that they place a high value on the skill associated with keeping visual tabs on competitors, and that they also see that automating that cockpit task as negative.

you can't fault them for their opinion. it's theirs and they are entitled to it. i accept yours, regarding GPS, Vario, et cet. as a valid viewpoint.

the tactical advantage of flarm DOES come when everyone has it. but only when some start dicking with it by putting tin foil hats over the antennae. that's criminal if you ask me.