“FLARM has low power consumption because it transmits at low power and is therefore low range. It costs less than a transponder because it does not meet a certified standard. If you mandate FLARM, and therefore require certification, and increase its power to something more generally useful, you end up with something that is as expensive and power hungry as Mode S.”
Parts of the world mandate PLB’s which, are hand held, battery powered and save lives. FLARM could be done in the same way, is affordable, and would save lives.
OK guys, I give up. I have put my credit card away and will give my canopy an extra polish before I get airborne next.
Rod1
PS perhaps we could get AOPA / LAA to run a course on getting the best from see and avoid. Looks like it will be the only game in town for the foreseeable future.