Transponders

Eric, my point was - and remains - that package and weight are issues
which should not be overlooked.

Most of your suggestions are not acceptable - my panel is full of things
I want, I have about as light a parachute as I know of, and flying
outside the max AUW is a no-no for insurance, CofA, and club rules
purposes. Those might not feature in your priority list, but they do
for a lot of other people. Saying I could lose weight is not very
relevant - probably most of us could - but at the margin there must be
some people for whom another 9 pounds is a diet too far.

Of course, I could go and spend 20k, 40k, or 60k on a bigger glider as
well as the several thousand k on a Mode S transponder etc.. If it were
the only way to fly, I would have to look at that. Until it is
mandatory, for many people (not just me, the original enquirer wanted to
know the general issues AIUI) that would not be an option.

And in priority lists, avoiding being killed has several other dangers
more prevalent than collision with airliners, judging by the accident
statistics.

I am not one of those determined never to use transponders. As it
happens, I can see the day coming when I will want one for my sort of
flying in the place I do it, and I will have to solve the
cost/package/weight issues then - but we are not yet there. I hope the
technology then available will make it easier - but I am not holding my
breath, as I said.

Regards - Chris N.