PowerFLARM at Uvalde

"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.


So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.


So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us
who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not in
my book. But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? Do you
have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next week? If
not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high priority on
the Uvalde pilots. Also, the decision was based on the fact that a glider
pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year. I hope that the
PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their PowerFLARM
unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

"Paul Remde" wrote in message
...
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders
were
received. However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.


So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they
want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us
who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.
I hope that the PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that
tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their
PowerFLARM unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

Hi,

I forgot to mention above that I don't think that the FLARM rental setup
should have priority over customers that placed firm pre-orders in 2010.
But it is not my decision to make, and I don't even know for certain what
their (FLARM-USA) plan is. I suppose it does make sense to try to get
PowerFLARM into as many gliders as possible at Uvalde - since any glider
without it is theoretically a danger to everyone else.

I was asked to give preference to pilots on my PowerFLARM pre-order list
that are flying at Uvalde. It is my understanding that I should only
include customers that pre-ordered in 2010. None of the customers that
ordered from me in 2011 are on the Uvalde contest pilot lists.

Paul Remde

"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.


So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.
I hope that the PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their
PowerFLARM unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

I understand, I just disagree. For the record, it's not the gliders I worry
about; it's the very frequent airliners that fly over our glider port at
3-5K AGL.
--

On Jul 26, 4:19*pm, RWW wrote:
"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...

I understand, I just disagree. For the record, it's not the gliders I worry
about; it's the very frequent airliners that fly over our glider port at
3-5K AGL.
--

What you would rather some Uvalde contest pilot not get a PowerFLARM?
That seems fairly selfish.

And just to be clear the only airline-threat data that you will
reliably receive with the current PowerFLARM firmware is Mode-S PCAS
traffic today from those airliners--and that is color coded on the
screen, no audible alerts. And since its PCAS you have altitude but no
direction information. And becuase its PCAS its very questionable at
faster jet closing speeds how useful the data really is - much more
useful for GA traffic as a heads up somebody is around.

PowerFLARM as it is currently shipping is clearly focused on
delivering glider-glider collision avoidance, all the other good stuff
is coming. Its been a public/painful delivery cycle for Flarm but I'm
glad that Flarm and its partners are prioritizing getting the glider-
glider stuff in the market asap vs. having us wait longer.

I am very happy to see the PowerFLARM in the USA market and believe
that prioritizing Uvalde contestants is a good idea. It would be idea
to have everybody have a chance to be more familiar but I suspect this
is the best approach given where we are. I expect the contest
organizers and Flarm representatives to make sure that contestants are
well briefed and on the technology. Some of the contest pilots who
have competed or just flown overseas will have some experience with
Flarm and I am sure those at Uvalde will help out others.

The best technology tool by far with airline threats is to install and
use a transponder, and where possible also talk to ATC. ADS-B 1090ES
receiver capability in future PowerFLARM firmware updates will be
useful as well. But a transponder in your glider is the a much better
idea. And the only technology compatible with the airliner's TCAS
systems. If you are really worried about airliners over all else I
hope you already have a transponder.... or cancel your PowerFLARM
order and get a Trig TT21.

Darryl

On Jul 26, 4:19*pm, RWW wrote:
"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. *However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. *Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. *I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. *I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks..
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. *But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? *Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? *If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. *Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.

Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Jul 26, 4:19 pm, RWW wrote:
"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.
I hope that the PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their
PowerFLARM unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

I understand, I just disagree. For the record, it's not the gliders I worry
about; it's the very frequent airliners that fly over our glider port at
3-5K AGL.
--

I do not understand this apparently selfish attitude. Glider contests
are an area where Flarm can significantly help improve glider-glider
traffic awareness and collision avoidance and I am happy to see
contestants at Uvalde prioritized over other purchasers (including
me). We do not need another mid-air, with or without a fatality, at a
contest. The current state of play of the PowerFLARM firmware makes it
a more compelling glider/FLARM to glider/FLARM collision avoidance
tool, future updates will expand that.

Uvalde is also a good trial run at a contest this year before the
season ends and a chance for many USA contest pilots to experience
Flarm in a reasonable size contest to help guide usage and any rules
changes for next year. Its also good for organizers there to see Flarm
in action as soon as possible before the World contest where
PowerFLARM availability/demonstrated operation in a contest is likely
of a lot of interest for many overseas pilots.

While it would have been nicer for all the pilots to have been able
gain experience with PowerFLARM beforehand there are pilots at the
contest who have flow with Flarm technology overseas and who I am sure
will help others with it, and I expect the contest organizers and
Flarm to do some hand holding.

If your concerns are airliners then PowerFLARM with the current
firmware and state of 1090ES carriage in the USA may not provide as
much information as some expect. Not all airliners in the USA are
1090ES data-out equipped (check with you local ATC or airliner ops
folks on what 1090ES data-out carriage is with local airliners). If
they are 1090ES data-out equipped the current PowerFLARM firmware will
display that traffic but will not issue audible alerts, if the
airliners are not 1090ES data-out equipped the only indication on the
PowerFLARM will be Mode-S based PCAS (all the airliners have Mode-S
transponders) but PCAS gives no direction information, and with
current firmware no audible warning and the relatively short range of
PCAS warnings and lack of direction information may not be sufficient
to be useful in an encounter with airliners or other fast aircraft.

If you are really worried about airliners I would hope you already
have a transponder, and where possible talk to ATC. Transponders are
the only technology compatible with the TCAS system that all
(reasonable size) airliners are require to carry. If airliners are
really a strong concern and you don't have a transponder already maybe
you should consider cancelling the PowerFLARM order and instead
getting a Trig TT21.

Darryl

Thanks for your thoughts. I value your opinion, but do not share it.

On Jul 27, 6:01*am, RWW wrote:
Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Jul 26, 4:19 pm, RWW wrote:
"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. *However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. *Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. *I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. *I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. *But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? *Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? *If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. *Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.
*I hope that the PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their
PowerFLARM unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

I understand, I just disagree. For the record, it's not the gliders I worry
about; it's the very frequent airliners that fly over our glider port at
3-5K AGL.
--

I do not understand this apparently selfish attitude. Glider contests
are an area where Flarm can significantly help improve glider-glider
traffic awareness and collision avoidance and I am happy to see
contestants at Uvalde prioritized over other purchasers (including
me). We do not need another mid-air, with or without a fatality, at a
contest. The current state of play of the PowerFLARM firmware makes it
a more compelling glider/FLARM to glider/FLARM collision avoidance
tool, future updates will expand that.

Uvalde is also a good trial run at a contest this year before the
season ends and a chance for many USA contest pilots to experience
Flarm in a reasonable size contest to help guide usage and any rules
changes for next year. Its also good for organizers there to see Flarm
in action as soon as possible before the World contest where
PowerFLARM availability/demonstrated operation in a contest is likely
of a lot of interest for many overseas pilots.

While it would have been nicer for all the pilots to have been able
gain experience with PowerFLARM beforehand there are pilots at the
contest who have flow with Flarm technology overseas and who I am sure
will help others with it, and I expect the contest organizers and
Flarm to do some hand holding.

If your concerns are airliners then PowerFLARM with the current
firmware and state of 1090ES carriage in the USA may not provide as
much information as some expect. Not all airliners in the USA are
1090ES data-out equipped (check with you local ATC or airliner ops
folks on what 1090ES data-out carriage is with local airliners). If
they are 1090ES data-out equipped the current PowerFLARM firmware will
display that traffic but will not issue audible alerts, if the
airliners are not 1090ES data-out equipped the only indication on the
PowerFLARM will be Mode-S based PCAS (all the airliners have Mode-S
transponders) but PCAS gives no direction information, and with
current firmware no audible warning and the relatively short range of
PCAS warnings and lack of direction information may not be sufficient
to be useful in an encounter with airliners or other fast aircraft.

If you are really worried about airliners I would hope you already
have a transponder, and where possible talk to ATC. Transponders are
the only technology compatible with the TCAS system that all
(reasonable size) airliners are require to carry. If airliners are
really a strong concern and you don't have a transponder already maybe
you should consider cancelling the PowerFLARM order and instead
getting a Trig TT21.

Darryl

Thanks for your thoughts. I value your opinion, but do not share it.

There was a lot there not to agree with, what in particular don't you
agree with?

That you attitude is selfish? (a likely short delay to you of a device
not fully feature equipped for the usage scenario you are most worried
about for important benefit to contest pilots and the wider contest
community?).
That we don't need another mid-air/fatality at a contest?
That FLARM should not have prioritized units for Uvalde? (OK we know
you disagree on that)
That getting Uvalde organizers and others early experience with
PowerFLARM is important for the world contest?
That getting USA contest pilots exposure is important before next year
for input for rule changes?
There is something wrong with how I describe current PowerFLARM
firmware features? Especially lack of PCAS and 1090ES audible alarms
(coming in a future firmware update)?
You disagree on current USA airliner 1090ES data-out carriage? - or do
you know if the airline traffic you are worried about have significant
1090ES data-out carriage?(its great to know if they do - can you share
which airlines/aircraft and their equipage levels?)
You think PCAS' short range and lack of direction information does not
makes it of limited use for airliner/fast traffic collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are important tools for airline
collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are the only technology that works/
interoperates with airline TCAS systems?
You disagree that if airliners are a serious/dominant concern you
should prioritize getting a transponder? (if I had airliners very
frequently fly over my glider port at 3-5k I would have installed a
transponder a long tine ago--have you?),


Darryl

Darryl Ramm wrote:
There was a lot there not to agree with, what in particular don't you
agree with?

He tried to close the dialog more diplomatically than I would, yet you
insist on repeating yourself.

That you attitude is selfish? (a likely short delay to you of a device
not fully feature equipped for the usage scenario you are most worried
about for important benefit to contest pilots and the wider contest
community?).

Fascinating. You appear to be blind to the selfishness of those contestants
who had ample time to pre-order the same units ahead of poster RWW, but did
not. Is there some reason you are unable to see the selfishness in _their_
actions?

That we don't need another mid-air/fatality at a contest?

Why are their necks more precious than his? Participating in a contest is a
voluntary decision and contestants are expected to prepare accordingly and
expect the associated risks. It is clear from the product diversion that
many did _not_ prepare by ordering promptly, so those who took the biggest
risk in pre-ordering earliest (but are not entered in this contest) are now
being penalized to favor those who couldn't be bothered. That's a
favoritism that is neither fair nor moral nor wise.

That FLARM should not have prioritized units for Uvalde? (OK we know
you disagree on that)

Those who choose to engage in riskier activities but not make prompt
advance preparation to mitigate that risk should not be rewarded at the
expense of those who enage in less risky activities yet still make such
prompt advance preparations.

Your position is actually immoral, not that of the other poster.

That getting Uvalde organizers and others early experience with
PowerFLARM is important for the world contest?

You'd better stop posting; as a neutral observer the above comes across as
unfettered arrogance.

That getting USA contest pilots exposure is important before next year
for input for rule changes?

Sigh. More arrogance. Maybe you should just tell any glider pilot who is
not entering contests to go to hell cause they're ruining the sport for all
the high-risk takers?

There is something wrong with how I describe current PowerFLARM
firmware features? Especially lack of PCAS and 1090ES audible alarms
(coming in a future firmware update)?

At this point he probably rightly concludes that as a non-contestant any
such upgrade is going first to you-know-who so why bother?

You disagree on current USA airliner 1090ES data-out carriage? - or do
you know if the airline traffic you are worried about have significant
1090ES data-out carriage?(its great to know if they do - can you share
which airlines/aircraft and their equipage levels?)
You think PCAS' short range and lack of direction information does not
makes it of limited use for airliner/fast traffic collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are important tools for airline
collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are the only technology that works/
interoperates with airline TCAS systems?
You disagree that if airliners are a serious/dominant concern you
should prioritize getting a transponder? (if I had airliners very
frequently fly over my glider port at 3-5k I would have installed a
transponder a long tine ago--have you?),

I didn't see anything in his response implying anything that deserved such
a rant built up of rhetorical questions. Suppose he had said he was worried
about other gliders in his area - wouldn't your attempts to belittle him
using technicalities all come to all halt?

On Jul 27, 9:16*am, Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Jul 27, 6:01*am, RWW wrote:





Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Jul 26, 4:19 pm, RWW wrote:
"Paul Remde" wrote:
"RWW" wrote in message
...
"Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Brad,

My policy has always been to ship items in the order in which orders were
received. *However, in this case, we will soon have 50 to 60 competitors
flying in a soaring contest at the same site that had a fatal mid-air
last season. *Therefore, FLARM-USA has asked us to ship units to Uvalde
competitors first. *I can't speak for the other PowerFLARM dealers, but
it is my intention to follow the recommendation of FLARM-USA. *I agree
that the upcoming contest has a higher mid-air risk than will be found
anywhere else in the USA next week, and I sincerely believe that
PowerFLARM will help reduce the risk.

I can understand that it would be frustrating for those that ordered
early, because you want the enhanced safety for yourself ASAP also.

After the Uvalde competitors' orders are filled I will ship to other
customers in the order that orders were received.

We should be receiving the units pretty quickly over only a few weeks.
We will get your unit to you ASAP.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

So, I can be bumped down the queue for the portable flarm I ordered last
year by someone who ordered a brick, and only decided today that they want
a loaner portable unit?

I guess the competition guys really are more important than those of us who
don't fly competition.

Hi,

Of course no pilot is more important than any other pilot - at least not
in my book. *But how many gliders are flying in your area at a time? *Do
you have 40 to 60 gliders in a small area as they will at Uvalde next
week? *If not, then I hope you will understand why we are putting a high
priority on the Uvalde pilots. *Also, the decision was based on the fact
that a glider pilot died in a mid-air collision at Uvalde only last year.
*I hope that the PowerFLARM units will help avoid a recurrence of that tragedy.

Besides, I'm told that the Portable units will be shipped at a good rate
(many units shipping every week), so that everyone will get their
PowerFLARM unit very soon anyway.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde

I understand, I just disagree. For the record, it's not the gliders I worry
about; it's the very frequent airliners that fly over our glider port at
3-5K AGL.
--

I do not understand this apparently selfish attitude. Glider contests
are an area where Flarm can significantly help improve glider-glider
traffic awareness and collision avoidance and I am happy to see
contestants at Uvalde prioritized over other purchasers (including
me). We do not need another mid-air, with or without a fatality, at a
contest. The current state of play of the PowerFLARM firmware makes it
a more compelling glider/FLARM to glider/FLARM collision avoidance
tool, future updates will expand that.

Uvalde is also a good trial run at a contest this year before the
season ends and a chance for many USA contest pilots to experience
Flarm in a reasonable size contest to help guide usage and any rules
changes for next year. Its also good for organizers there to see Flarm
in action as soon as possible before the World contest where
PowerFLARM availability/demonstrated operation in a contest is likely
of a lot of interest for many overseas pilots.

While it would have been nicer for all the pilots to have been able
gain experience with PowerFLARM beforehand there are pilots at the
contest who have flow with Flarm technology overseas and who I am sure
will help others with it, and I expect the contest organizers and
Flarm to do some hand holding.

If your concerns are airliners then PowerFLARM with the current
firmware and state of 1090ES carriage in the USA may not provide as
much information as some expect. Not all airliners in the USA are
1090ES data-out equipped (check with you local ATC or airliner ops
folks on what 1090ES data-out carriage is with local airliners). If
they are 1090ES data-out equipped the current PowerFLARM firmware will
display that traffic but will not issue audible alerts, if the
airliners are not 1090ES data-out equipped the only indication on the
PowerFLARM will be Mode-S based PCAS (all the airliners have Mode-S
transponders) but PCAS gives no direction information, and with
current firmware no audible warning and the relatively short range of
PCAS warnings and lack of direction information may not be sufficient
to be useful in an encounter with airliners or other fast aircraft.

If you are really worried about airliners I would hope you already
have a transponder, and where possible talk to ATC. Transponders are
the only technology compatible with the TCAS system that all
(reasonable size) airliners are require to carry. If airliners are
really a strong concern and you don't have a transponder already maybe
you should consider cancelling the PowerFLARM order and instead
getting a Trig TT21.

Darryl

Thanks for your thoughts. I value your opinion, but do not share it.

There was a lot there not to agree with, what in particular don't you
agree with?

That you attitude is selfish? (a likely short delay to you of a device
not fully feature equipped for the usage scenario you are most worried
about for important benefit to contest pilots and the wider contest
community?).
That we don't need another mid-air/fatality at a contest?
That FLARM should not have prioritized units for Uvalde? (OK we know
you disagree on that)
That getting Uvalde organizers and others early experience with
PowerFLARM is important for the world contest?
That getting USA contest pilots exposure is important before next year
for input for rule changes?
There is something wrong with how I describe current PowerFLARM
firmware features? Especially lack of PCAS and 1090ES audible alarms
(coming in a future firmware update)?
You disagree on current USA airliner 1090ES data-out carriage? - or do
you know if the airline traffic you are worried about have significant
1090ES data-out carriage?(its great to know if they do - can you share
which airlines/aircraft and their equipage levels?)
You think PCAS' short range and lack of direction information does not
makes it of limited use for airliner/fast traffic collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are important tools for airline
collision avoidance?
You disagree that transponders are the only technology that works/
interoperates with airline TCAS systems?
You disagree that if airliners are a serious/dominant concern you
should prioritize getting a transponder? (if I had airliners very
frequently fly over my glider port at 3-5k I would have installed a
transponder a long tine ago--have you?),

Darryl


Good points Darryl. I am very happy to have the manufacturer send the
first units to Uvalde instead of me. Large contests are the highest
value scenario for PowerFlarm and the extra couple of weeks will allow
me to finally get a transponder installed (yes Darryl I placed the
order).

For those who are disappointed not to get your unit right now keep in
mind that the "first come, first served" arrangement is with the
dealer. The manufacturer can allocate production however they like -
that's how it works every day in the real world.

On a related note, on Sunday I wrote a check to Rex at Williams
Soaring for my contribution to the rental program. It's pretty clear
from my understanding of the order numbers that US contest pilots are
not 100% covered so if you made a commitment to that program last year
I strongly encourage you to follow through. As much as I enjoy
unexpectedly running into old soaring friends I really don't want to
do it while flying my glider.

9B