It's very disappointing when you read all this BS trotted out by those with parrot fashion knowledge but no understanding.
I can't see myself ever being on PPRUNE or FLYER forums, as it reminds me so much as to why, despite having an aeronautical qualification, I don't work in the industry.
When I hear the transponder lectures from the entrenched, I ask them what situational awareness or anti collision information they get from the transponder, if there is no traffic service on offer. They shuffle sideways and start a stream of bovine excrement of Augean proportions, or to be blunt, they talk sh*te.
Given the current CAA policy on infringements, a fair few local pilots are questioning whether the transponder actually wants to be in the aircraft any more. If they don't need zone transits, it needs to be U/S for some reason or removed.
http://www.peter2000.co.uk/aviation/intro/uk-infringements-policy.htmlAFAIK, FLARM is not certified, it's just a big enough wall of wallets for the epaulette wearers to respect the force of numbers or be told to indulge in sex and travel.
Transponders score 0/10 for autonomous situational awareness, and ADS-B, where I live, mostly tells you about commercial air traffic in airspace you are not allowed in.
My ground station analyses and shows me what's going on, I built it partly because of our proximity to a gliding airfield, and FLARM does not show up on ADS-B only...
FLARM doesn't go very far, I've been checking for pings with my FLARM beacon.
However, sailplanes and PAW equipped aircraft might see me. Transponder, ADS-B, WGAF?