There are no low cost/power TCAS, and as far as I understand there will
never be. You may refer to TPAS, which are indeed low cost/power but
they are a far cry from TCAS or FLARM, as they only tell you that there
is an aircraft somewhere nearby (if it has a transponder which is
beeing interrogated) , no direction or resolution, and they don't
determine if it is actually a threat or not. However they are much
better then nothing, and deffinitly worth the $500. The ultimate
solution would be the ADSB, which, AFAIK, has similar functionality to
FLARM but also act as conventional transponders so covering both
worlds. But it may take long time until the FAA will implement it, and
meanwhile there will likely be more midairs fatalities, so the FLARM
sounds like the current best solution. The good news is that the FLARM
is effordable, can be used as a data logger (hopfully it will be
certified as well) and does not require much instalation. Since powered
aircrafts will not likely use it, it will be good idea to have both a
TPAS and a FLARM. They both small and I bet they can be fit together on
the glare shield without noticable obstruction.

Ramy (who never really saw a FLARM or an ADSB, but stayed at the
Holliday Inn Express ;-)


Mike Schumann wrote:
My question is whether introducing another technology that isn't common with
powered aircraft is the answer. I would think that a combination of a
transponder that is visible by ATC and conventional TCAS, along with a low
cost low/power TCAS type device designed for gliders wouldn't be more
appropriate for the US environment.

Mike Schumann

"Ramy" wrote in message
ps.com...
I don't have any numbers but I heard of many more midairs between two
gliders or gliders with tow planes than between gliders and other
powered aircrafts. I'm afraid the White Mountains in Nevada are a
midair waiting to happen. On a good weekend you can have 20-50 gliders
flying in a very narrow band in both directions. It is very difficult,
almost impossible, to spot on time a glider flying straight and level
at closing speeds of over 200 knots, unless you know exactly when and
where to look. Remember, the moving targets we often spot easily are
not the threat, it is the one which don't move on the canopy which will
hit us. If we equip all gliders and tow planes with Flarm you will
significantly reduce midairs, as it has been proved in Europe and OZ.
One would wish that one of the local US manufactures of glider avionics
or an entrepreneur would have try to license flarm in US. If it is
possible to manufacture and sell TPAS like equipments in the US without
liability concerns, it should be possible to sell Flarms.

Just my humble opinion,

Ramy


Mike Schumann wrote:
Another interesting question for the US is what percentage of mid-airs
are
between two gliders vs. between a glider and a powered aircraft.

Mike Schumann

"John Galloway" wrote in message
...
Does anyone know of a source of any statistics that
might indicate the effectiveness or otherwise of FLARM
in reducing the rate collisions between FLARM fitted
gliders in those European countries in which it is
in widespread use?

Thanks in advance.

John Galloway