If you get the chance, read the PFA's paper rebutting the ludicrous CAA 'partial regulatory impact assessment' concerning Mode S. It destroys the CAA's arguments in every area.
Personally I feel that the main CAA enthusiasm lies in the potential ability to know, with Mode S, who is doing what and where. They are seemingly more keen on increased surveillance than increased safety...
The L-band congestion argument is utter tosh. If that was the case, why is it not a problem in the US with its much larger GA population and activity in the vicinity of large aerodromes?
These are my alternative proposals:
I also consider that no
new non-Mode S installations should be permitted after 31 Mar 2010.