PaulisHome quotes... 102 of the 178 involved mid-air aircraft were gliders or tugs. So the problem lies firmly in the Glider community. They choose to orbit in close proximity to other gliders, and have a very small cross sectional area. They also wear parachutes, because they realise they are very likely to bump into each other.
The GA fraternity has made great efforts in making itself visible, with High Intensity Strobe lights, Mode S Transponders, and having a constant radio service from a radar ATC station. They can also fly with both their 150 Watt landing lights switched on when needed.
GA aircraft also reflect radar waves very well. A Glass Fibre or Wooden Glider has almost no reflecting material, apart from the metal control pedals.
Also how many glider pilots have their FRTL radio license, and keep in contact with an ATC unit, most don't, and just chat to each other on their private glider soaring frequencies. If they only could talk on the GA frequencies, they could explain where they are located, for us all to hear and avoid.
In the last 6 years I have only ever heard one glider on our radio, but have been given 'Traffic Advice' on over ten occasions from ATC, warning of 'Traffic in your 11 o/clock, similar height, range two miles', to which we can respond.. ' I have that traffic in sight, thank you.'
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Last edited by scifi; 1st Mar 2018 at 09:49.