FLARM vs. Transponder
A friend of mine has forwarded an email to me between him and some local pilots who still feel we should be flying wooden gliders with pellet variometers. Maybe they moved forward a generation but decided 1975 is where we should stay. Let’s look at doing some modernization of the instrument panel. All of the German manufactures are even making it easier to do the upgrades with TechNotes to help with the installations of flight computers, FLARM, and transponders.
Transponder
Having a transponder is so others can see us. We fly cross country towards the Mexican border, passing across the arrival route into San Diego International Airport. Because we stay below 18,000ft, we are compressed into the arrival route altitudes. Many of the pilots were slowly updating their panels with transponders. With the accident in Minden with ASW-27 vs. the Hawker Jet in 2006.
All of the privately-owned ships are flying with transponders at Sky Sailing. The first glider vs. airliner mid-air will be tragic and will change gliding forever.
What does the transponder do for me?
It allows me to be seen by adequately equipped aircraft and/or aircraft talking to ATC. It will enable ATC to view me and report my position to other aircraft. Many of the glider pilots here will also monitor SoCal Approach and routinely hear themselves being called out as traffic to other aircraft. Some respond and talk to SoCal, and some do not. At the very least, they are being seen. We are trying to be seen by a jet flying 200knts carrying 200 people.
ADS-B out
Many now are upgrading to ADS-B out, including being 2020 Compliant. My personal favorite is a Trig TT22 with a TN72 . The TN72 GPS will work great for experimental, while the TN70 GPS is an excellent alternative for certified aircraft. These pilots are concerned with making themselves more visible to other aircraft.
FLARM
FLARM is allowing yourself to be visible to other FLARM equipped aircraft. Which is excellent, and most of the private ships here are FLARM equipped. FLARM is taking a different approach to reducing a midair risk with an airliner, other GA aircraft, and other FLARM equipped gliders. It is taking the defensive and going to look for traffic. Because you can see other transponder equipped aircraft, you theoretically can see all of the other Transponder and FLARM equipped traffic.
Displaying FLARM
You can view FLARM by displaying it on a moving map flight computer, smaller screen, or a simple LED screen that will warn you about the imminent threat. It just depends on how much information you want coming into the cockpit. FLARM can be used for imminent threats to tactical information.
To maximize your safety, get a FLARM, and see both FLARM and transponder traffic. Get a transponder so others can see you, and we do not end up making the national news, as a new head ornament on an airliner.
On a budget?
Avionics shops and eBay are great places to find old working power-hungry transponders. The cost of a better/new/second battery can be offset by a free transponder when money is tight.
Banner Photo by Sophie Mahieu
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.