Help us with this petition for security on anti-collision systems

On Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 4:26:08 PM UTC+1, wrote:
I will not be signing the petition.
FLARM is a private enterprise and deserves to reap the rewards of its work.
FLARM is a optional instrument for pilots, not a mandated piece of equipment. The issue with contest pilots being required to use FLARM is an SSA matter.
I would hope that glider pilots choose to install a transponder BEFORE they add a FLARM to their aircraft.

Out of ignorance and curiosity, what are the relative proportions of glider collisions in the US between gliders versus between gliders and CA/GA aircraft?

John Galloway

On Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 9:06:14 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 4:26:08 PM UTC+1, wrote:
I will not be signing the petition.
FLARM is a private enterprise and deserves to reap the rewards of its work.
FLARM is a optional instrument for pilots, not a mandated piece of equipment. The issue with contest pilots being required to use FLARM is an SSA matter.
I would hope that glider pilots choose to install a transponder BEFORE they add a FLARM to their aircraft.

Out of ignorance and curiosity, what are the relative proportions of glider collisions in the US between gliders versus between gliders and CA/GA aircraft?

John Galloway

From 1994 through 2013 there were 20 reported midairs involving gliders un the US - 12 were glider-glider, 3 were glider-towplane, 4 were glider-GA and one was towplane-GA (the glider was on tow). There were 16 total fatalities as a result.

These were only the ones that were serious enough to be reported to the authorities and recorded in the official record. There were probably others with minor or no damage that were not reported.

Based on the statistics FLARM is a more important investment than a transponder, though obviously that consideration includes the fact that the statistics reflect whatever deployment of transponders existed prior to introduction of Flarm and may have reduced collisions with other aircraft types over the period.

Andy
9B