Originally Posted by
Bell_ringer
This doesn't need FLARM, standardise procedures and provide a frequency so you broadcast your intentions. Works well elsewhere in the world especially for unmanned areas that have a lot of traffic converging.
The eyeball has it's limitations and until you can use all the tools at your disposal these accidents will continue to happen.
Well if you know the area , you know there are procedures for the glacier and there is an auto info frequency ( 130.0 if my memory is correct) which normally both were into, the heli was a local on heliski ops and doing the ups and down the mountain short trips on regular basis, and the D140 was with an instructor , also based locally (but in France) ) so both very likely to have been on the frequency . Why it did not work we will know as the instructor survived. could be as stupid as a simple crossed transmission . I think FLARM would have helped here and saved lives., because it is a last minute warning where your eyesballs have failed or the threat is coming from behind ,or,from below..
For info the situation in this valley on the border between 2 states is very similar to the Niagara falls , (e.g : procedures to keep helis below sightseeing airplanes , everybody turning same same side, etc, and a frequency etc..)