Thanks for the input. It seems there is support from ATCOs for the problems Mode S will cause GA generally and light aircraft specifically. I hope this view comes out of the consultation process. I know AOPA and other organisations are lobbying hard.
It also seems there will be plenty of new problems for ATC, both equipment and procedures, so the implementation dates proposed my be optimistic.
The most up to date official information I have found seems to be the AIC 88/2001 (Yellow 65), which follows on from AIC 100/1997. Anybody interested without access to a paper copy can read these AICs on the ais.org.uk website – they are part of the AIP.
AIC 88/2001 says that France and Germany are implementing IFR from 31 March 2003 and VFR (in airspace where carriage of transponders is mandatory) from 31st March 2005. However, these dates refer to Mode S with only basic functionality (i.e unique address, identity, capability [what is this??] altitude, and status [flying or on ground], not including download of heading, IAS, ROC/ROD, roll, track angle, ground speed and selected altitude, which are enhanced functions).
The UK game plan seems to be to go straight to enhanced functionality for IFR in TMA and en-route airspace and implement from from 31st March 2005. VFR will be basic functionality only from 31st March 2008. The AIC makes reference to temporary exemptions to be proposed lated.
So we have two problems:
If we want to fly in French and German airspace, will we need basic Mode S from 2003?
If we fit basic Mode S for this reason, will we have to upgrade in 2005 to fly in the UK? I f we did upgrade, where would all the extra information come from in a light aircraft?
All this has given me a headache, I guess I have to hope for successful lobbying, common sense and exemptions for GA, or for lighter aircraft.
However, I think it is also a real headache for ATC services too.
Re the glider comments from ‘No Speed Restriction’ and turn ‘RIGHT’: the AIC refers to ‘aircraft.’ If my memory of air law is correct, aircraft is a class comprising all flying things (no jokes about ducks, please) and airplanes, helicopters, balloons, gliders, microlights etc are sub-classes and will thesefore have to comply, if no exemptions are agreed. Again, I hope common sense prevails. There was an article in December ‘Pilot’ magazine which suggested that gliders etc could be caught by Mode S.
Regards