While in a glider, I want to be alerted to other traffic whether it is
a glider, light airplane, heavy jet or business jet, so that I can
look for and possibly avoid it.
I do not want to hope that it is equipped with TCAS and count on the
other pilot being alerted to my transponder presence and avoid me. My
glider is much less visible than any other aircraft so I will have
the better chance of seeing and avoiding the traffic. For this reason
I feel the Zaon Pcas is enough protection for glider to airplane
collision threat. However, Powerflarm (when available) is a better
solution for areas were there is a high concentration of gliders (more
than 1 actually). When thermalling or ridge soaring, I do not want to
be allerted every time a glider is with in 3 miles of me. I only want
to be alerted to the one that poses a high threat of collision. I do
want to be alerted to transient airplane traffic with in 3 miles. So
in my world, I would not install transponders in gliders unless the
glider was operated in airspace where transponders were required.
I sell, install and certify transponders in gliders and I think they
are reasonable tools to have but I will fly with and equip my fleet
gliders with PowerFlarm.
Rex
Williams Soaring Center