PPruneRadar wrote ....
From the ATCO point of view, some form of identification device (whether that be Mode S or not) should be mandatory within Controlled Airspace, whether you are a glider or not.
Well I would disagree, Mr Radar.
I know of someone who has successfully completed a return trip to the south of France from Scotland "sans transpondeur" - VFR all the way, but helpful controllers in CTRs and a bit of prior notice and a lunch emergency .... and it was perfectly feasible.
No reason why you can't have VFR routes in Class D airspace - such as the entry/exit lanes at Glasgow. Or in SVFR routes in Jersey/Guernsey CTAs.
Mandatory is overkill.
What happens to the radar clutter on your tiny radar screens at Scottish ACC if everyone squawks ?
A bigger problem is fastjets hammering around at low level highspeed without ACAS.
Why should I have to spend £3k to fit a transponder, just because Easyjet, Ryanair and Eastflight want to maximise profits ? If they profit, then they should pay. I was there first.
