Originally Posted by gpn01
Agree....it's called LOOKING OUT. It's not a guarantee but it is the one thing that paramotors, LAA's, microlights, gliders and powered aircraft are ALL equipped to do. If the power jockeys want to carry additional whiz-bang electric boxes that help them from hitting similarly equipped aircraft, or allows them to fly in controlled airspace, then that's fine by me BUT it shouldn't be done at the expense of reducing look out.
I often wonder how useful looking out really is in the conditions we've had recently: murk below the temperature inversion; and low winter sun. I'm inclined to support compulsory mode C or S in everything with an engine, for all the reasons IO540 has cited. I'd certainly get some form of ACAS if that was the case, and enjoy more relaxing flights when I can get a RIS.
Perhaps a compromise could be transponders not required below 1000ft AGL, where the microlights could fight it out with the RAF.
