PCAS collision avoidance
I heard yesterday about the tragic collision between two RAF Tutors, killing two instructors and two young air cadets. I recall hearing about one or more midairs last year as well.
A large number of aircraft are now fitted with transponder equipment. Because of the number of ground stations and commercial air traffic, this equipment will be interrogated regularly. PCAS units (passive collision avoidance) would therefore function well if used sensibly by pilots.
Both the Tutors were fitted with thousands of pounds worth of transponding equipment, which was useless to them because they did not have a 300-pound gizmo fitted.
I would like to hazard a guess that in most airproxes between 2+ seat aircraft, at least 1 aircraft has a transponder. Therefore, the collision could be avoided with a simple, comparatively cheap unit which every pilot could carry - it runs on AA batteries.
The accepted position of GA on any cost related issue is to put its fingers in its ears and dig its heels in. Why, this time, don't we be proactive and invest in the technology which could have saved two young lives, and those of their pilots? Even, dare I say it, pressure the CAA in to making it mandatory, so if your aircraft has a transponder, then you know that everyone else will see you?