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Karl Osen
July 14th 03, 10:03 AM
Hello,
Is anyone aware of anti-collision systems (projects or products) for gliders
based on GPS and short range radio? Such systems broadcast position at
random times, allowing equipped vehicles (e.g. gliders) to be informed when
they have a dangerous trajectory relative to other equipped gliders).
Rgds
Karl Osen

Hannu Niemi
July 14th 03, 11:55 AM
> "Karl Osen" > wrote in message
...
> > Hello,
> > Is anyone aware of anti-collision systems (projects or products) for
gliders
> > based on GPS and short range radio? Such systems broadcast position at
> > random times, allowing equipped vehicles (e.g. gliders) to be informed
when
> > they have a dangerous trajectory relative to other equipped gliders).
> > Rgds
> > Karl Osen

I think that most collisions are due to happen when pilots KNOW about each
other i.e. while thermalling.

So we'd have the horn blowing much of the time, still not getting much info
from it.

Of course other problem is on glides, but there the probability is quite
low. The trajectory also may change quite rapidly (as opposed to
power-flying) and I think the GPS-based systems couldn't react that fast to
course and altitude changes.

Still a good idea... at least theoretically

regards

hannu

Peter Nyffeler
July 14th 03, 01:34 PM
In article >, "Karl Osen" > wrote:
>Hello,
>Is anyone aware of anti-collision systems (projects or products) for gliders
>based on GPS and short range radio? Such systems broadcast position at
>random times, allowing equipped vehicles (e.g. gliders) to be informed when
>they have a dangerous trajectory relative to other equipped gliders).

May be ADS-B is such a system you are looking for.
See http://www.upsat.com/air_home.shtml
But have a look at the prices!

Peter Nyffeler
Tel P 01 363 62 42, Tel G 01 632 43 60, Fax G 01 632 10 21

Mhudson126
July 18th 03, 03:44 AM
With all the Palm-Pilots and navigation systems available in gliders these days
to play with, I would suggest that the most important piece of glass in the
cockpit is the one above the insturment panel.

Tim
July 18th 03, 10:16 AM
(Mhudson126)s comments read:

>With all the Palm-Pilots and navigation systems available in gliders these days
>to play with, I would suggest that the most important piece of glass in the
>cockpit is the one above the insturment panel.

Great - I thought I was the only one with a vanity mirror ;-P
--
Tim - ASW20CL "20"

Mark James Boyd
July 18th 03, 07:26 PM
I actually prefer Al's approach above the instrument panel,
the plastic Jesus. Have faith, you'll find another thermal...

> I would suggest that the most important piece of glass in the
>cockpit is the one above the insturment panel.

>Great - I thought I was the only one with a vanity mirror ;-P

Buck Wild
July 19th 03, 01:38 AM
(Mark James Boyd) wrote in message >...
> I actually prefer Al's approach above the instrument panel,
> the plastic Jesus. Have faith, you'll find another thermal...
>
> > I would suggest that the most important piece of glass in the
> >cockpit is the one above the insturment panel.
>
if you cannot keep track of each aircraft around you at all times, go
find another thermal. Can't see behind you? use ESP, the eyes in the
back of your head, or the hairs on your neck. If you lose track of
gliders in a thermal, you are a hazard to everyone. Like riding a
motorcycle, the secret to avoiding impact with other moving objects,
is to convince youself you are invisible. If you are invisible, then
others can't see you. Now you must avoid letting other things hit you.
Considering most sailplanes, and no HG or PG have a transponder on
board, and gliders are the worst being thin & white, you really are
invisible. Hell, some pilots are even dozing with their eyes closed
(news) If you're gonna get near any other moving objects, and you lose
track of any of them, you are in over your head. If you are keeping
track, and you let one hit you, then what good is any kind of device?
Wanna have some fun? go hang around just ouside busy airspace, without
a transponder, like over Mustang VOR (RNO) and listen to RNO approach
freq.
My VFR Anti-Collision System:
Step 1: Look out the window
Step 2: Don't hit anything
Step 3: Don't let anything hit you
Step 4: Stay VFR
it has been proven that plastic Jesus figurines and St Christopher
medals will not provide adaquate cushoning in a strong impact. In
fact, im sure you saw the posts on people who "died with (a plastic)
Jesus in their hearts".....Literally.
Good luck Al.

-Dan

ch
July 19th 03, 01:44 AM
Jesus might save your soul mate, but eventually not your body.
Who guarantees that I can soar in heaven?
I prefer to trust in look out, but there are black spots below and to the
rear.
Having some hardware, which would scan the black spots as well, can't harm.
It is like having panoramic mirrors, ABS and Airbags in your car
Chris


"Mark James Boyd" > wrote in message
...
> I actually prefer Al's approach above the instrument panel,
> the plastic Jesus. Have faith, you'll find another thermal...
>
> > I would suggest that the most important piece of glass in the
> >cockpit is the one above the insturment panel.
>
> >Great - I thought I was the only one with a vanity mirror ;-P
>
>

Mark James Boyd
July 19th 03, 09:02 PM
It's clear that glider collisions happen in some cases because the
glider pilot IS looking outside. The glider pilot sees a glider in
a thermal, and goes over CLOSER to the other glider to join the
thermal. In this case, tracking the other glider, for me,
takes priority over watching a plastic Jesus. I have
lost track of another glider and exited a thermal, based on His
advice. ;-P

I'm a big fan of audio variometers, but unfortunately we don't
have one in our PW-5, so I don't fly anywhere near other gliders
in it. With an audio vario, it's easy to keep eyes exclusively
outside because I'm trying to keep precise pitch anyway.
Too bad it's only in our 1-26. We did have a pilot fly the
regional in the PW-5, but he has quite a bit more experience
and I'm sure his scan outside, then to inside and back out
is much more disciplined than mine.

I know we have one pilot, Jim, who has a $160 hang glider audio
vario (it gets clipped on your hat). I'm considering buying
one. Or if anyone has an audio vario for sale...we'd
love to hear from you :)

As far as thermalling near the pattern, I have done this
before (at a dual use field) and regretted it. It's
tough to admit I'm getting low, and the pavement of the
runway often makes a great thermal, but the reality is that
if that runway didn't provide me lift at 2000 ft, the
lift I get at 1000 isn't going to get me up enough to
go somewhere else anyway. Thermalling well above the pattern
is great, but if I'm down to TPA and need 15 more minutes
for some badge, I'll try again tomorrow. There's nothing like a
182 in the windscreen to get your attention.

Martin Gregorie
July 20th 03, 12:30 PM
On 19 Jul 2003 12:02:40 -0800, (Mark James Boyd)
wrote:

> I'm a big fan of audio variometers, but unfortunately we don't
>have one in our PW-5, so I don't fly anywhere near other gliders
>in it. With an audio vario, it's easy to keep eyes exclusively
>outside because I'm trying to keep precise pitch anyway.
>Too bad it's only in our 1-26. We did have a pilot fly the
>regional in the PW-5, but he has quite a bit more experience
>and I'm sure his scan outside, then to inside and back out
>is much more disciplined than mine.
>
Our club Pegase has a Cambridge Mk 4, which I'm happy with. It makes
noise, is switchable for damping rate, instant or averager display and
plugs into a TE probe. They are out of production, so must be pretty
cheap, and only need one (80mm?) panel hole. Of course it has no
Macready ring, so you'd need a Winter or PZL as well, which I guess
you already have installed.

Have you considered the modern equivalents, such as the Tasmin? They
have the same functions as the Mk 4. If I was in the market for this
type of vario I'd be looking at that or the B.40, which I think is
similar.


--
martin@ : Martin Gregorie
gregorie : Harlow, UK
demon :
co : Zappa fan & glider pilot
uk :

Andy Henderson
July 21st 03, 06:06 PM
I believe the new Garmin Rino GPS's have a built in 5km range radio
transmitter/receiver which is capable of showing the locationand snail
trail of other similar units in the area. Sounds like quite a useful
feature. Not quite what you are asking for but a step towards it.

Cheers

Andy


"Karl Osen" > wrote in message >...
> Hello,
> Is anyone aware of anti-collision systems (projects or products) for gliders
> based on GPS and short range radio? Such systems broadcast position at
> random times, allowing equipped vehicles (e.g. gliders) to be informed when
> they have a dangerous trajectory relative to other equipped gliders).
> Rgds
> Karl Osen

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