Is FLARM helpful?

On Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 3:39:17 PM UTC-8, Andy Blackburn wrote:
On Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 1:29:44 PM UTC-8, jfitch wrote:

From this I conclude that the situational awareness, far away from an potential conflict, is more valuable for preventing potential conflicts in the first place than the actual warning facility.


Important observation. Pilots who fly in the thermal streets and convergence lines of the western US point this out pretty regularly. Head-to-head traffic at 17,999' can easily close at 5-6 statute miles per minute. In this case particularly (low-contrast, small head-on cross-section, potential for evasion maneuvers to make things worse with crossed wings) longer range situational awareness is critical to avoiding conflicts - often with a simple radio call to coordinate. Also a good reason to register with FarmNet - how many people really would be able to properly read and call out (or even recognize) an ICAO/Flarm ID in a time-constrained conflict situation? "AA8E2F, please turn right immediately!"

9B

I have also observed this situation many times in the Nephi OLC camps and contests. High closure rates and Configuring your PowerFlarm in the Stealth mode would make this situation a safety concern. It would limit the time to respond to a conflict situation. With the Stealth mode off these situation are visible for many miles and evasive action is easy.

Stealth mode on this situation is much more immediate and dangerous with little time to identify, find and respond to the threat.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com