gpn01 + Dave etc. thanks for elaborating on behalf of gliders. But I dont agree with Rod1's assertion that the spamcan flyers are trying to dictate what others do.
I lean more towards ShyTorque and ScooterBoy in that we all have a duty to minimise the risk to others, what we do with our own lives is one thing but to do nothing to mitigate what harm we can do to others is not so clever.
Personally I would not enter cloud if my transponder was not working and hope others would not. I have relied on radar services to assist with collision avoidance even though the other aircraft was conversing with a different AT service. Because we were all transponding we painted a clear picture with altitude lives were saved. If people then have TAS or TCAS then all the better. It is still uncomfortable in IMC to hear the other craft is altering course to match your change - but thats yet another discussion.
I think there are number of immediate things I can take from this.
All PPLs etc should be made much more aware of the Glider "cloud" frequency and the fact they may be there. and dual listen when possible.
I would hope that most Glider pilots would try and contact the "most likely" AT station to increase awareness that they are there.
I would also like to understand how well Gliders paint on radar - when I had a boat i was amazed at how many small yachts painted no picture at all on radar and that they did not invest in radar reflectors - I think things have improved - but just because a glider pilot has a parachute does that really exempt them from bothering to think about the family of people that would be killed by them not being seen?
Since more and more controlled "areas" will need transponders it does not make sense to try and invent yet another system. And I would certainly upgrade to TAS if more people had transponders.
Having said all this - given the small number of actual collisions that actually happen then we need to be rational about what we should do next. BUT GA is being squeezed into smaller areas and with the good advent of more and more LAA aircraft running faster and higher then we need to take change seriously and all play our part in keeping others safe.