second and third wave of PowerFlarm adoption?

On Thursday, July 26, 2012 4:27:52 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Thursday, July 26, 2012 5:18:17 PM UTC-4, Evan Ludeman wrote:

> Here's your opportunity to lead by example.
> I can promise this much: buy one and use it, and you won't run into
> me!

I've been thinking about gifting a PowerFlarm to my favorite club glider, as a thank you for patiently training me. Of course there's nothing lonelier than being the ONLY PowerFlarm at the airport (as perhaps you know).

I rented a PowerFLARM for the 13.5 meter contest. Unfortunately at the contest no one else had a working PowerFLARM as the one equipped 1-26 had electrical problems and his wasn't working. However one of the PW-5's had a Mode C transponder (as do I). I was "lucky" enough that Williams Soaring sent me the PowerFLARM a few weeks before the contest because they were about to get busy hosting the 18 meter/Std nationals, so I was able to fly with it a few weekends at my club. However during those flights there was only one other equipped pilot flying so I didn't see too many flarm targets on the screen. However, I did see a lot of Mode C transponders flying around and actually had a very appreciated collision warning from one when I was about 35 miles from home and slowly climbing through 5500 MSL (eastbound VFR cruising altitude). I spotted the Cessna and switched to the nearest airports CTAF and got ahold of him. He seemed surprised to see a glider so far away from home and even more surprised to find out where I had been. When i got back I learned that another club-mate was interested in selling his portable so after the contest was over I bought his.