Mode S outside Class A
I am struggling to understand the benefit of equipping the plane I fly with a Mode S transponder. (and spending the best part of 5 grand)
I fly from a Class D field, through Class G, E, D and occasionally SVFR into Class A. I realise that having a Mode C transponder will give potentially useful information to anything equipped with TCAS, whether the Boeing 3,000 feet above me, and in theory the Tornado coming up my a**e, or the chartered KingAir at 12 o'clock on reciprocal heading (thanks RIS) . And I always turn on the transponder, set to Mode C.
But there are not that many TCAS equipped planes flying around in Class G (or VFR in D) . And I don't think we will see many fitted in the future in a Cherokee or a 172.
Are ATC Units going to get some huge benefit that I can't see from me having a Mode S transponder in 2008, whether I fly past their boundary, or request a crossing / inbound?
I can't quite see it myself.