Originally Posted by
handleturning
This is the problem. The glider community tend to swear by FLARM and generally shout about it long and hard if you ever get into a discussion on such matters. An incomplete picture is more dangerous than none at all, particularly if used by low hours pilots without the experience to back it up. Understand Benson and Linton have FLARM displays in the Twr (but cannot use them for controlling), which raises some very interesting HF questions.
Flarm is so good for gliders as it won't keep giving alarms when (for example) thermaling in a gaggle when other systems would be constantly giving alarms. It's also low enough power to use in a glider, many of which only have 2 x 7ah bricks for power. It also used to be very cheap, and as carry on equipment could be used in anything.
Can also understand Benson 'having a Flarm display' given it was from Benson an air experience flight departed that ended in tragedy for the two occupants, though IMHO it was completely avoidable without any sort of electronic conspicuity device.