Notable Power Flarm saves - Is it 'worth it'?

On Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 10:43:47 AM UTC-7, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sat, 28 Apr 2018 09:36:00 -0700, Dan Daly wrote:

.... or that disconcerting sound of an engine getting
louder (for GA targets).

Tell me about it! It only really worrying one of those I've
had was very much pre-FLARM. I was in a Discus, so not much rear vision:
I much prefer a Pegase, not least for its much better rear view. In this
case decided not to turn since I didn't know where he was except 'behind'
and fairly close because I could hear him but not see him. After what
seemed like a long time he came fairly slowly past my right tip 50-60m
away.

And then, within a month or so of that incident, I was running along a
nice street when I met GA pilot coming head-on down the street at the
same height - playing at being a glider by the look of it. At least he
had his landing light on, so was easy enough to see.

I really like my PowerFLARM. It was worth it to me.

Agreed. Since I've had FLARM I think all but one its warnings have either
been at quite long range or for traffic I'd already seen: that one made
having FLARM worthwhile since it was under a large dark cloud near a
turnpoint and which seemed to have a single energy line under it - which
we were both using.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

I've yet to be warned of something I didn't already know was there. The catch to that is that PowerFlarm informs me of a lot that is there that I would not have otherwise seen. It picks them up at a much greater distance than warning range, and now I know to look for them. The improvement in situational awareness is by far its largest asset. With it and the targets on the screen, getting a warning is really a dope slap: "Hey Stupid! I told you they were there...."

It is similarly a great help in crowded thermals, keeping track of the guys out or your field of vision.