Feds Want to Equipe Gliders With Transponders and Radios

On Apr 27, 2:02 pm, Larry Dighera wrote:
On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:09:57 -0700 (PDT), Andrew Sarangan
wrote in
:



On Apr 27, 12:01 pm, "Vaughn Simon"
wrote:
"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
. ..

Is the big-sky-theory a myth?

It always has been a myth.

No it is not a myth. If you evenly spread the number of GA aircraft
below 12,000 ft across the U.S all traveling at random directions, the
probability of collision will be extremely low enough to be considered
zero. The problem is that the big sky theory does not apply near
terminal airspace where the airplanes are not traveling in random
directions and altitudes.

It also doesn't apply within 150 miles of Los Angeles, and I'd
venture, to other areas of large population concentrations, nor near
navaids, nor airports (controlled or not), nor islands, ... In fact,
in today's aerial environment, the Big-Sky-Theory is not only a myth,
but a recipe for disaster, IMO.



The spirit of the original transponder exemption was to allow for
older airplanes that were manufactured before the days electrical
avionics became commonplace. So I can see the justification for this
proposal.

What is it that you see? Is it the necessity to outlaw all aircraft
that were certified without electrical systems from operation within
the NAS?


I think the FAR can be justifiably modified to only exempt airplanes
originally manufactured with no electrical system, but all airplanes
manufactured since 2008 (or whenever) operating in airspace where a
transponder is required should be equipped with one.

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
...
On Apr 27, 2:02 pm, Larry Dighera wrote:


I think the FAR can be justifiably modified to only exempt airplanes
originally manufactured with no electrical system, but all airplanes
manufactured since 2008 (or whenever) operating in airspace where a
transponder is required should be equipped with one.


But not all aircraft are required to have a transponder in all categories of
airspace...
Sure.. all AIRPLANES with electrical generating systems should have a
transponder, but not all AIRCRAFT have electrical generating systems. Even
ones built today, sort of a Catch-22.

B

In article "BT" writes:

But not all aircraft are required to have a transponder in all categories of
airspace...
Sure.. all AIRPLANES with electrical generating systems should have a
transponder, but not all AIRCRAFT have electrical generating systems. Even
ones built today, sort of a Catch-22.

Quite true. Aside from things like Balloons, even things like hang
gliders and paragliders fly. Some quick searching tells that hang
gliders get up above 10,000 feet as well. Where does one mount the
transponder and battery on a hang glider or paraglider?


Alan

On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:48:35 +0000 (UTC),
(Alan) wrote in :

Where does one mount the transponder and battery on a hang glider
or paraglider?


Not to worry. The EAA is workin' on it: :-)

http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-04-26_symposium.asp

EAA Asks FAA to Authorize Electric Motors in Ultralights and
Light-Sport Aircraft

Announcement at Electric Aircraft Symposium draws applause
April 26, 2008 — In an effort to gain attention and support for
electric aircraft innovation and to help advance efforts to bring
affordable electric aircraft to recreational aviators, EAA at today’s
CAFE Foundation 2008 Electric Aircraft Symposium announced a
significant advocacy measure. As the final speaker on the Symposium
agenda, EAA Lifetime Member Craig Willan wrapped up the one-day event
in San Francisco announcing that EAA this week filed a request to the
FAA for regulatory exemptions that would allow the use of electric
motors in ultralight and light-sport aircraft.

“The announcement drew enthusiastic applause,” Willan reported shortly
after the event’s conclusion. “After a full day’s in-depth exploration
of the cutting-edge work being done, the group was already energized
by the promising developments in the science and engineering arenas.
When I announced at the end of the day EAA’s action in the regulatory
arena aimed at allowing the application of this technology, it was
like an additional shot of adrenaline,” he said.

“I also informed the group that this is only a first step. I’m
participating on an EAA task force charged with further facilitating
progress in the use of electric energy to power aircraft,” he said.
“The EAA community is committed to this direction. More announcements
are coming.”

EAA’s petition to the FAA specifically proposes specifications for
battery-pa...