Pbrooks, no they don't, but they recieve generally Radar Services particularly above FL100....so with a Transponder fitted you are visible and therefore safer.
Bigchopper, said
What are they doing there in the first place?
Read the whole thread and you'll understand what "they" are doing there. If "they" are there it's for a good reason, i.e there's no other choice, not all airports are under airways or TMA's. In the case of some of the East Coast stuff it's simply much more economical (and environmentally friendly
) to go Newcastle direct Aberdeen rather than going...TILNI TALLA PERTH ADN. It's going to happen more and they do pay to have the required equipment fitted.
Ultimately we all operate in the same sky, why should Gliders (which is what this thread is about) have any special right NOT to pay for it?
It's a minority sport after all.