Hi,

My question is whether introducing another technology that isn't common with
powered aircraft is the answer.

My answer is no.

I doubt there is _the_ answer, anyway. "See and avoid" most obviously isn't.

For the time being FLARM is small, uses next to no power, minimal panel space,
does not distract the pilot and is comparatively affordable. In my environment
it warns me of almost all the gliders I am likely to encounter and the
towplane.

I cannot see a reason why _not_ to use it. Not using it because it does not
solve the problem of potential mid-airs by 100% does not seem reasonable to
me.

For people flying in the alps there is the added benefit of FLARM warning of
cables spanning valleys (IF they are in the database). These, I am told, are
mostly invisible from the air against the ground. No transponder can help you
there and fleet coverage is not an issue.

Ciao, MM
--
Marian Aldenhövel, Rosenhain 23, 53123 Bonn
http://www.marian-aldenhoevel.de
"Success is the happy feeling you get between the time you
do something and the time you tell a woman what you did."