Notable Power Flarm saves - Is it 'worth it'?

You know...I get it. Flarms are very cool and glider specific.
BUT, transponders are the primary anti-collision tool for all aircraft.
I strongly argue that a transponder should be the first collision avoidance instrument installed in a glider.
Flying in the busy airspace around Reno with transponder on and transponder off and observing/listening to traffic control and the many "heavies" flying in the area made it so clear how powerful they are.
Then there is the problem that many don't want to discuss and that is the blind spots that Flarms have in carbon fiber gliders. There needs to be some serious work on external antennas for carbon fiber gliders.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 7:06:47 AM UTC-7, wrote:
You know...I get it. Flarms are very cool and glider specific.
BUT, transponders are the primary anti-collision tool for all aircraft.
I strongly argue that a transponder should be the first collision avoidance instrument installed in a glider.
Flying in the busy airspace around Reno with transponder on and transponder off and observing/listening to traffic control and the many "heavies" flying in the area made it so clear how powerful they are.
Then there is the problem that many don't want to discuss and that is the blind spots that Flarms have in carbon fiber gliders. There needs to be some serious work on external antennas for carbon fiber gliders.

I agree about the external flarm antenna. I have always thought it would be simple to make one that is as thin and flexible as a piece of tape, and the coax could be fed through an 1/8" hole in the bottom of the cockpit. Yes, polarization is wrong, but way better than seeing nothing below you. of course a vertical antenna on both side of the cockpit would be perfect. Any RF engineers out there care to comment?

Matt

Maybe I'm missing something but, the way I see it, one of the key differences between Flarm and a transponder is with the Flarm, you get information about other aircraft in your cockpit.

With a transponder, you get no information in your cockpit and are relying only on visual contact to see and avoid. You are relying on the other aircraft (possibly with ATCs help) to avoid you.

I've been flying with Flarm for 3 years and am adding a transponder now. I've determined the best answer is both.

Total cost = about $5K. I think that's a good investment in increased safety.

Lou