ProfChrisReed sensibly suggests a common frequency for all IMC traffic in class G. Skycop explains why that won't work but fails to come up with an aternative other than calling one of a number of several radar service providers who have no responsibility for conflict avoidance and I am informed by people who should know, do not have the resource to deal with a substantial number of gliders who may wish to use IMC - calling once one is in IMC, and using the common gliding IMC frequency for good practical safety reasons is demonstrably impracticable.
It is claimed that 'gliders do not show up well on radar' with no evidence - I am assured they do on primary radar, but secondary radar is what is commonly used by radar services, and being non-transponder equipped they naturally do not.
It is claimed that IFR certified aircraft may not fit FLARM, in spite of a posting earlier in the thread illustrating an IFR equipped (police) helcopter certified under EASA (presumably the same rules that will apply in UK) fitted with FLARM.
It is claimed to be 'madness' for glider pilots to operate in their normal current mode, in spite of the fact that many of them also hold ATPLs and are current in CAT.
We can hold a useful and constructive discussion fact based, or rely on our prejudices for a possibly more entertaining one. Preference?
Last edited by Fitter2; 3rd Sep 2008 at 06:22.