Hi
black sparrow
What about gliders and ultralights?
This is an issue: the problem is that traditional transponders are both heavy and require a lot of battery power, which is obviously a problem for these a/c.
In the UK, they reckon that a small, light-weight solid-state and "relatively" cheap mode-S transponder design has been tested by
Qinetiq (I think) to show that mode S in all VFR (required by 2008) is possible.
As yet however, there is no manufacturer making this
AFAIK, and who knows what "cheap" will mean! I guess if its mandated there will be a volume market and so price should become reasonable? Maybe, maybe not...
Until such a device is either available cheaply enough for all to install, or itis mandated, we will have to maintain a lookout for gliders etc. as we do now. I find them hard to spot!
Andy