T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:


It was a brand new glider (first flight) and the glider had
a transponder according to one report. Transponders aren't
that common for gliders. They're power hungry devices for
aircraft without engine powered electrical systems, and not
required for where he was flying, which shows he was willing
to spend some money for safety, but reports are that it was
turned off.

This is largely stated, but really not that true in this day
and age. While I'd not want to run my KT76 off a battery
the semiconductor units aren't that power hungry. Terra
made a balloon pack transponder over a decade ago.

By the way, if the transponder cert was out of date, the aircraft
was not technically airworthy unless the device was deactivated,
removed, or properly placarded. Hope, the glider pilot did
the appropriate thing with regard to that.