Arghhhh!!!!!
Rod1 wrote:
Changes to the regs for Micros to allow them to fit transponders (by increased MEW) have been under discussion since 2005.
That is the time it takes to get changes to EASA. In the time it will take to get to be allowed to fit transponders to more gliders, and use LiPo batteries, there could be more middairs if people ignore Flarm and PCAS -not to mention the free things like using the radio, reading the chart, checking the weather forecast and so on.
Rod1 is actively investigating solutions which are available now, work now, and aren't tied up in the red tape of EASA.
Why on earth (if safety is so important to you) are you continuing to peddle solutions which due to EASA cannot be implemented for most gliders for the foreseable future? One would think you are simply wanting to beat aircraft without transponders out of the air regardless of what else is available and possible.
And why, if safety is so important to you, do you give the impression that transponders are the be-all and end-all of safety? There was a fatal midair earlier this year involving two powered aircraft which launched from the same site (so should have known each other was in the air) both of which were fitted with transponders and both of which should (because of their joint OP) have been squawking.
There have also been middairs (and ground collisions) between transponding aircraft using ATC.
Transponders, Flarm, PCAS, ADS-B are all AIDS in Class G, not cure-alls. As Mary has posted several times, LOOKOUT LOOKOUT LOOKOUT. Unfortunately the visibility from a create many GA craft is lamentable and the designers should be condemed for making them that way. I agree there are a number of human factors making a really good lookup hard to do, but that is why lookup need practise, and also why I'm sure there is a huge difference between the best and worst of us.
As to why be a BGA member - if one belongs to a BGA club one is a member, end of. And there are very few places to fly gliders that are not BGA clubs.