Gliders Transponder exemption and Project EVA

Soarist

I will readily admit that I no longer make it a point to read the magazine
cover to cover or the endless RAS postings.

But I doubt that I was the only one shocked by the recent post on RAS about
the FAA Advance Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (Anprm) regarding requests
for public comment on removal of the current transponder exception for
gliders.

It was even more shocking to stumble upon the fact that this issue was
already being addressed thru Project EVA which stands for ‘Electronic
Visibility via ADS-B’– is a joint partnership project aiming to enhance
flight safety by improving the visibility of general aviation (GA) pilots
to each other and to air traffic control through the transmission and
reception of Automatic Dependent Surveillance -Broadcast data and assessed
thru the review
of the compatibility of the different devices like LPAT, TABS, Mode S
transponders and Power-FLARM – and focuses on how traffic alerts support
the ‘See and Avoid’ concept.

TSO C199 is a standard for the “Traffic Awareness Beacon System (TABS)
for light aircraft without electrical systems, exempted from ADS-B OUT,
such as gliders, balloons and other aircraft with non-certified electrical
systems,�

http://www.nats.aero/projecteva/

So do some homework by at least reviewing the attached urls. Then petition
the SSA to step up to the plate and use some of it’s highly educated
and well written pilot members to come up with a comprehensive letter the
membership can modify and send to the FAA. This letter should request
a delay of any planned removal of the current transponder exception for
gliders while these new low cost low power systems designed for aircraft
with non-certified electrical systems are brought on line to provide the
necessary electronic visibility via ADS-B.

There are numerous other issues that should be included, such as what
options will be available to a pilot who has failing battery power. Will
he be
allowed to turn of a transponder to maintain other safety of flight
nstruments like varios, radio or supplemental navigation aids. What would
be his options if the battery falls to the point of the transponder going
off line, will he be required to land immediately, or face operating in
violation of the regulations? What if he is far from home or even a safe
airport for landing.

Additionally the FAA needs to provide soaring with an immediate blanket
authorization for all gliders, Experimental and Standard airworthiness to
use the advanced technology LiFePo4 batteries that are fundamental for
powering the systems it may be dictating all gliders to have and use.

So many questions and so little time, only 56 days to get letters off to
the FAA, my 2 cents M Eiler

https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...nt-for-gliders

http://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/20...20briefing.pdf


http://fasvig.org/ads-b-nats-update-on-project-eva

http://www.auvsishow.org/auvsi2015/p...54&Na v=False

http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/A...-223824-1.html

http://www.icao.int/APAC/Meetings/20...fing%20FAA.pdf

http://www.trig-avionics.com/products/tn70/\

http://www.aviationpros.com/press_re...t-gps-solution

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-ne...av-micro-i-gps

http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?d...e-8e3650e8d399

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/...ADS-B-Selector