Is FLARM helpful?

On Friday, November 20, 2015 at 8:35:10 PM UTC-5, Casey Cox wrote:
Has anyone been thankful that they have had FLARM?

And do the same people have a transponder?

How many people fly with FLARM or Transponder?

Let's hear about the close calls, or potential close calls, or even the peace of mind of awareness.

I have flown in the European Alps for the last 14 years and in the New Zealand Alps for about the same duration. I am a USA citizen who has flown gliders for 40 years. FLARM has been a definite advantage in alerting me to traffic not seen.

Glider pilots in the USA who negate the positive aspects of FLARM assume that there are few glider pilots and thus not helpful, statistically. However, unlike powered aircraft, glider pilots seek the corridors of best lift, as are other glider pilots, making converging flight paths inevitable. It is dangerous that one can assume that their situational awareness is infallible.

I would feel much safer if more glider pilots and tow pilots in the USA would adopt the FLARM technology.

Just another point. When another glider pilot radios that he has a six knot thermal, I can visualize him on FLARM and determine if indeed he has a genuine six not thermal! :-) I do not consider that "leeching", rather, simply an evolution of our beloved sport!