>>>Perhaps a compromise could be transponders not required below 1000ft AGL, where the microlights could fight it out with the RAF. <<<
Forgive my ignorance, but doesn't that fall foul of Rule 5....
Rod has been a lone voice of common sense here. Reliance on technical solutions, as I have also seen flying with well-equipped a/c, is scary.
Fly in the Class G area around Popham on an event day using your 'glass cockpit' instrumentation. In the event of a collision, who would be at fault - the non-tx microlight or the totally-equipped pilot who sets up his autopilot and TCAS?
I've watched my (very experience) pilt friend, and he is spending so much time looking at the screens and fine-tuning his flight profile, he almost never looks out.
Unless and until a technical solution appears at a cost that is proportionate (£3-4k for an Evans VP1 is not that), then the CAA have guaranteed (grin, grin) that Mode S will not be mandated, so TCAS will never find all the potential targets.
Effectively those who fly on instruments/autopilot will prefer to fly high, and that will bring in a degree of separation. My issue is with those pilots who plan to fly lower and mix it with us 'indians' then blame us for getting in their way - quoting safety as a rationale.