glidergeek wrote:
On Feb 7, 10:14 pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:

Mike Schumann wrote

The reality is that other aircraft are difficult to see, even if you
know where to look. What is very frustrating is that affordable ADS-B
technology exists that could have prevented this accident.
Unfortunately commercialization is being delayed by the FAA's
obsession with IFR ADS-B applications, while certification standards
for low cost VFR devices are on the back burner.

And $500 PCAS units have been for sale for several years. I wonder if a
PCAS in one or more of the aircraft involved would have averted the
accident.



Maybe Eric, BUT I've got one that I use in my Cessna 180 (Zoan) and
I've watched several planes fly by relatively close with no indication
on the unit. I don't trust it.

Mine alerts me to some aircraft I don't see. I don't expect it to
discover everything, so I do look around, and I carry a transponder,
MRX, and a radio. It's a pretty good system for $3000 (eyeballs free).
I've been using the eyeballs and a radio for 30 years, the transponder
for 8, the MRX for 2. I'm glad I don't have to depend on eyes alone anymore.

And I'm still wondering if a PCAS in any or all of the aircraft could
have averted the disaster. $500 each would be cheap it would work in
that situation.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

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* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org