FLARM Technology for the US Gliding Community

On 9/15/2010 12:19 PM, Andy wrote:
On Sep 15, 11:25 am, wrote:

We would probably have at east one pilot alive today if the FCC
approved those units earlier.

That seems to assign some blame to FCC.

Why would FCC be expected to approve an equipment for which no
approval application was made. Why would anyone have made an
approval application for an equipment which was not marketed for use
in USA and prohibited by the manufacture(s) from being used in USA.

For those that think the door will be open to import the older FLARM
units to US and use them without FCC approval, don't forget that the
unit's firmware has an embedded drop dead date. It would be very easy
for the next firmware cycle to inhibit operation for GPS locations in
USA.

Am I the only one that suspects a large part of the US PowerFLARM cost
is going towards a legal fund?


Can't answer that, but PowerFlarm has substantially more features than a
Flarm unit. For $1500, you get Flarm ($800), PCAS ($500 for MRX), and
ADS-B-in ($500?), plus stuff you don't get buying those things
separately: a nifty display, a single small package, and glider-friendly
software tying them together, and for $300 less than the individual
items. I don't see large part of the cost left over for a legal fund.

I anticipate getting one next year, but since I already have a
transponder and MRX, I'm in no great need, so I'll let the other pilots
be the early adopters of the (initially) scarce units. Then, I'll have
to think about selling my Becker and getting a Trig when ADS-B out
becomes more interesting.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (netto to net to email me)

- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz