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Old December 27th 07, 11:49 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Dan G
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Posts: 245
Default Scottish Gliding Union FLARM trial results

The SGU are actually a large club based at Portmoak in Scotland, and
are a well-known wave site with a number of nearby short ridges too.
They trialled FLARM for six months this year and have just published
their final report*:

http://www.scottishglidingcentre.co....arm_Report.pdf

Quoting their main conclusions:

The main outcome was that, overall, Flarm would be of considerable
benefit to flight safety.
This benefit will be maximised if the technical, human factor and
training issues reported here are constructively addressed. To this
end our recommendations a

1.The British Gliding Association to consider whether it should
encourage the voluntary uptake of Flarm compatible technology in the
UK gliding fleet over the next two to three years.

2.Instructional techniques and materials to be developed to aid
training about the use of Flarm for new and established glider pilots
[Dan: I've seen excellent pilot's guides on this matter from
Australia].

3.Swiss Flarm to continue addressing the specific technical issues
raised in Appendix 1 of this report.

4.Further studies to be considered:

-The Scottish Gliding Union Flarm Trial Group would like to repeat
the ridge soaring congestion trial after possible future Flarm
software revisions that address the relevant issues raised in Appendix
1.
-Examination of alternative Flarm hardware solutions and displays.
-Trials of Flarm in flatland thermal soaring gliding sites.



*What really impresses me here is that the SGU have taken the time and
trouble to produce a proper report, and then freely distribute it.
Bravo to them. I understand that a large flatland thermal site
(Lasham) have indeed trialled Flarm - and are fitting it to their
training fleet - but afaik, never published any sort of report.


Dan