PowerFlarm and transponders while towing?

At SoaringNV's staff meeting yesterday, we discussed the PowerFlarm
and transponder issue. It was quickly decided that having the glider
transponder on STBY until release would not be workable due to the
fact we often have non-pilots sitting behind the main instrument
panel.

So, yesterday we tried having the tow plane squawk standby until tow
release, then switch to ALT. This works fine in terms of not having
the transponders interfere with each other . . . but does nothing to
resolve the PF beng in constant alarm due to the collision it thinks
might occur at any time between tug and glider.

But, this thread brought elicited a private response reminding me what
I already knew, and that is that the FARs require a transponder be on
at all times if its installed, except as directed by ATC etc. ATC will
almost always direct that all but the "lead" aircraft squawk standby
when formation flying, something that we do often while towing.

To try and resolve this I called Reno Approach who quickly shuffled me
off to NorCal Approach. Talked with a front line manager there who
advised us to do exactly what I suggested. i.e. Leave the tug
transponder squawking STBY until tow release and then don't forget to
switch to ALT. Now he did say that even if we left both on ALT, they
would probably still be able to see us*. But then added that the data
displayed would be confused and would potentially cause conflict
alarms as well.

*A secondary concern is that TCAS equipped aircraft will get good data
from our transponder/s.

bumper
zz
Minden

Not to sound like a smartass, but have you considered leaving the PowerFlarm
off until release? Is the collision potential so great over your usual tow
route/altitude that you don't feel safe without it?


"bumper" wrote in message
...
At SoaringNV's staff meeting yesterday, we discussed the PowerFlarm
and transponder issue. It was quickly decided that having the glider
transponder on STBY until release would not be workable due to the
fact we often have non-pilots sitting behind the main instrument
panel.

So, yesterday we tried having the tow plane squawk standby until tow
release, then switch to ALT. This works fine in terms of not having
the transponders interfere with each other . . . but does nothing to
resolve the PF beng in constant alarm due to the collision it thinks
might occur at any time between tug and glider.

But, this thread brought elicited a private response reminding me what
I already knew, and that is that the FARs require a transponder be on
at all times if its installed, except as directed by ATC etc. ATC will
almost always direct that all but the "lead" aircraft squawk standby
when formation flying, something that we do often while towing.

To try and resolve this I called Reno Approach who quickly shuffled me
off to NorCal Approach. Talked with a front line manager there who
advised us to do exactly what I suggested. i.e. Leave the tug
transponder squawking STBY until tow release and then don't forget to
switch to ALT. Now he did say that even if we left both on ALT, they
would probably still be able to see us*. But then added that the data
displayed would be confused and would potentially cause conflict
alarms as well.

*A secondary concern is that TCAS equipped aircraft will get good data
from our transponder/s.

bumper
zz
Minden

On Feb 23, 5:47*pm, "Dan Marotta" wrote:
Not to sound like a smartass, but have you considered leaving the PowerFlarm
off until release? *Is the collision potential so great over your usual tow
route/altitude that you don't feel safe without it?

I've seen quite a few incidents in which the glider pilot picked up
the collision threat before the tow pilot.
This sounds like a pretty straightforward issue for flarm to solve --
writing software to know "this is the towplane, you're on tow, ignore
it" doesn't sound like rocket science.
John Cochrane

Agreed, software is simple for those who know how. It's just getting all
the wishes implemented.

BTW, I was referring to the tow plane's flarm. The glider could warn the
tug of any conflicts, couldn't he? Then I remember the incident in Boulder
a few years back...


"John Cochrane" wrote in message
...
On Feb 23, 5:47 pm, "Dan Marotta" wrote:
Not to sound like a smartass, but have you considered leaving the
PowerFlarm
off until release? Is the collision potential so great over your usual tow
route/altitude that you don't feel safe without it?

I've seen quite a few incidents in which the glider pilot picked up
the collision threat before the tow pilot.
This sounds like a pretty straightforward issue for flarm to solve --
writing software to know "this is the towplane, you're on tow, ignore
it" doesn't sound like rocket science.
John Cochrane

On Feb 23, 3:47*pm, "Dan Marotta" wrote:
Not to sound like a smartass, but have you considered leaving the PowerFlarm
off until release? *Is the collision potential so great over your usual tow
route/altitude that you don't feel safe without it?


That's kind of like saying I know my street and neighborhood really
well, so I won't bother to fasten my seat belt until I get a few miles
down the road. It's not so much a matter of not feeling safe without
the PowerFlarm, but rather of being safer with it. Statistically, at
least for power planes, most mid-airs occur within a few miles of
airports, just like most car accidents occur within 5 miles of home.

bumper