Flarm and stealth

Nobody has advocated requiring open mode. The issue is whether to
require stealth mode. The simple path is to make it pilot option.
Given the lack of experience with a brand new device, simple is
probably wise. After we've gained a year or two of operating
experience with powerflarm it may become clear that this issue should
be reopened.

If the mode is optional, the predictable behavior of pilots will be to
operate in stealth mode if you do not have a computer on board to
process the competitors flarm data. If you do have such a computer on
board, you will be inclined to operate in open mode because this will
clearly be a net benefit to the individual competitor (I can say that
even without knowing whether the benefit will be tiny or huge). After
a few years, most competitors will have such a computer or display on
board and most all will be flying in open mode. From what has been
reported, it sounds like that is how it has mostly played out in
Europe.

I'm still troubled by the heads down safety cost that will come with
this new safety device if open mode is allowed. The heads down time
in the US with Powerflarm may be greater than in Europe because the
higher power level will make the information all the more useful and
important to monitor. I wish I could see a solution to the heads
down concern that I'm having. Am I the only one who is worried about
that?




On Oct 30, 9:51*am, WR wrote:
Nobody anywhere has flown with PowerFlarm with its increased range and
capabilities. *My post was based on the information I have about
PowerFlarm and my own speculation as to what it could do to US
competitve soaring if it was "required by rule" to be operated in open
mode 100% of the time. *I'm not for mandating anything with regards to
Flarm operation. *Personally I don't care if some want to try Flarm
team fly, have at it. *That type of team flying is very different from
radio teamwork in that you can't select your teammates with Flarm.
What I want to see is for everybody that races to put a Flarm in their
ship, turn it on (mode or your choice), than lets go race and not run
into each other.

Bill Ruehle WR