I hope you're right A & C. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

I think you are cos the only alternative is to ban aircraft that are not big enough to carry the appropriate electronics!! <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

My God, I shouldn't even say that in jest <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

I wish it were so. But bureaucracy has a track record of never admitting when wrong, and therefore of never rescinding silly rules.

Look, for example, at the AVMs who refuse to recognise that they got it horribly wrong with the Mull of Kintyre crash. We know they're wrong, they probably know they were wrong - but will they admit it? No chance!

No, sadly, I fear we're all going to have to lash out £15k for Mode S, or stay out of anything Controlled. But I'll gladly join any campaign to get the Mode S for GA ruling reversed. After all, we know the ATC units will "suppress" any S return from GA cos they can't handle the volume of information that will come at them.

Keef, the point is that ALL aircraft will have to be fitted with Mode S transponders regardless of the type of airspace they inhabit. <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> . .I do agree about the inability for Guvmint bodies (and especially EuroGuvmint) to retract silly decisions. Mmmm I can see a change of wunderplane coming up soon. Rats.

As I've been asking in ATC Issues, what will my donation to the electronics industry do for flight safety and ATC in general? Centre of a doughnut is my opinion so far, especially if ATC are going to have to filter out the returns from the LowNSlows of the aviating fraternity. <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

I operate from a grass strip slap bang under LTN approach. We have a formal arrangemen with LTN to do so. It works well. Imagine if I pop up into our circuit (switch on transponder as an easyJet 73 is overhead (me 500'agl them 2,000'agl). The drivers of said 73 will be really thrilled to have their TCAS alert going off as they set up their approach. Safety, not.

Keef. .the trouble is that all aircraft will need to be fitted with Mode S transponders regardless of airspace class and flight rules.. .I think that in France it will start 2003 for IFR and 2005 for ALL VFR, in the uk 2008 or 2009. That means no LT flights anymore.

Ergghhh!

Better start saving up. Or lobbying my MEP (whoever she/he is) or something...

Better start saving soon Keef. YOu're looking at around $4,500 + VAT + fitting. ARRGGHH <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

All so that Eurocontrol can get you registration into the system. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

I assume that this is the only reason because none of the ATC boys have managed to come up with a convincing (read any) reason why Mode S is in any way superior to Mode C in a GA VFR environment.

[ 18 February 2002: Message edited by: LowNSlow ]</p>