My experience with TPAS is such that I wouldn't fly without it - -
especially not anywhere near cloudbase. It's true that sometimes it's
difficult to judge when one is maintaining exactly the proper required
distance from clouds. And in the unlikely case you "misjudge" and snuggle up
to the fluffy stuff a bit too close, it's comforting to know that there's
not likely anything big and made of metal that will be exiting nearby.

The transponder is equally important for this too, as all the big heavy
things have TCAS and thus will see you, or will receive an altitude hold or
vectors around you from ATC.

I'll often monitor 119.2 (Reno ATC) if I'm up that way or when high over the
Pinenuts (SE of Minden). Invariably I'll hear them point me out to other
traffic, often even before that traffic shows up on my TPAS.

bumper

"kirk.stant" wrote in message
ups.com...
Ls6 "66"More and more of us are doing just that. I fly out of Minden so
have been
flying with TPAS (Proxalert R-5) for over 3 years and a Becker
transponder
since '98. Back when I bought the TPAS, it was over $1K, so I've over $3K
in
equipment. How much is a jet load of passengers worth? Probably well
over
$3K at the going attorney's rates. How much is my butt worth? Priceless!
(last time I checked).

bumper

Transponders are kinda like airbags in cars - nobody denies they are
safer, but they are not always available or easy to install...(I know,
that's a whining excuse).

What is your experience with your TPAS?

I'm curious, though - has anyone out there actually been snuck up on
by an airliner? Not a bizjet, but a no-sh*t great big hulking "250
knots below 10,000" airliner? I've seen plenty of them entering and
leaving the PHX Class B, and they were never really very hard to see.
Now lightplanes, F-16s, or Lears - they can be tough and I've been
surprised by them a few times. C'mon, fess up!

66