I can’t really believe ST does not understand, but I don’t know why he keeps hammering the point that SOME gliders have transponders, as if that means all could.
ChrisN,
Please get down off your pedestal and read my post again. You are possibly now getting stuff I have posted mixed up with stuff posted by others! Of course I know that rules don't allow the fitting of certain equipment to certain aircraft. As I mentioned to you before, I too have no clearance to fit FLARM or anything other equipment to the public transport aircraft that I fly. It already has the mandatory CAA fit and more besides. It looks like there is no possibility of FLARM being given a certification for PT in the near future; each individual aircraft type and mark would need individual certification at huge cost; I've also mentioned that before. Not only that, the aircraft is not owned by me, I don't pay the bills and I have little say in these issues. It will eventually be decided by EASA / CAA legislation, probably when it becomes enough of an issue in the Sunday papers.
Those who say "well if you don't like it stay on the ground then" are avoiding the issue; if I stayed on the ground someone else would take my place. I have no intention of giving up flying for a living just yet; I've been doing it for 32 years and it's what I'm best qualified to do.
I began the post above that you seem to object to so strongly, by mentioning the fact that pilot was talking to an ATC unit on the radio. In the past you told me that gliders can't speak to ATC, either.
This pilot managed to make intelligent use of his on-board equipment and battery power, whether or not he had it switched on for the whole flight is irrelevant. I was impressed that he seemed so professional and I said so. What do you expect me to say? You don't like it whan folk criticise glider pilots and yet you complain even more strongly because I just praised one.
Perhaps he should have switched everything off, not spoken to ATC and I should have just looked out better? I suggest you give this a break, it seems to be getting to you; it's not your personal responsibility to answer everything posted here, with increasing angst. I'm going to comment no more, I've got some flights to plan.