Midair Crash
09-07-2006, 07:04 PM
#51
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by Bulletboy
I am sure the glider we almost hit was piloted by some cowboy that didn't care he was floating around in class A airspace.
I am positive he did not have a waiver to be in class A right on a published arrival.
I am positive he did not have a waiver to be in class A right on a published arrival.
09-07-2006, 07:53 PM
#52
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Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: FO, looking left
Posts: 1,057
Whoever said that gliders need transponders is completely clueless. Most the gliders I have flown don't even have a master switch (or a battery for that matter.) Remember that most gliders are only a few hundred pounds. Adding any weight extremely effects the preformance of the glider. Remember, gliders don't have engines!!! A high L/D ratio is crucial!
09-07-2006, 08:52 PM
#53
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,289
Originally Posted by ryane946
Whoever said that gliders need transponders is completely clueless. Most the gliders I have flown don't even have a master switch (or a battery for that matter.) Remember that most gliders are only a few hundred pounds. Adding any weight extremely effects the preformance of the glider. Remember, gliders don't have engines!!! A high L/D ratio is crucial!
So what? As far as I am concerned glider pilots can make any and all safety sacrifices in the interest of recreational performance...as long as they stay the h&ll out of controlled airspace! Maybe times have changed and the skies have gotten too crowded, but I should NOT be getting surpised by a glider when I have 90 passengers behind my door. That was not even a little bit funny!
Transponders, Li batteries, or radar reflector beacons don't weigh or cost that much...I've used them in the military, and they are man-portable.
FWIW, I am willing to accept some personal risk in my own recreational pursuits, but I really try to exclude unsuspecting non-participants from my risk envelope.
09-08-2006, 06:34 AM
#54
done, gone skiing
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Rocking chair
Posts: 1,601
No more cowboys
Originally Posted by ryane946
Whoever said that gliders need transponders is completely clueless. Most the gliders I have flown don't even have a master switch (or a battery for that matter.) Remember that most gliders are only a few hundred pounds. Adding any weight extremely effects the preformance of the glider. Remember, gliders don't have engines!!! A high L/D ratio is crucial!
Are you Sh!tten me!!
You think a glider shouldn't have something to help others see it because it would impact your ability to fly higher!! I hope this isn't the attitude of most glider pilots, As far as I'm concerned, if I can 't see you (on a TCAS or an ATC on radar) than you should be banned from all airspace that any other flying craft is entitled to fly, no exceptions! 
09-08-2006, 09:24 AM
#56
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Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: BE-20, RA390
Posts: 644
It wouldn't suprise me any if blame was put on the Hawker crew for failing to "see and avoid".
What a bunch of crap. It is freaking hard to see a glider, and who know how it approached the Hawker.
I was curising along oneday in a C90,low altitude going into some of the world's busiest airspace, and all of a sudden a glider came up from under the nose and was right in front of us !! ATC knew and saw nothing. We banked hard right and missed.
Thankfully, we were on an empty positioning leg, and we were not heads down in the cockpit or looking in a different direction.
Gliders can do their thing all they want--I think it's great. But being invisible and nordo around class B airports when you are mixing with arriving and departing aircraft?????????????
After seeing the pic of the panel, I think the crew in the Hawker displayed some airmanship.
What a bunch of crap. It is freaking hard to see a glider, and who know how it approached the Hawker.
I was curising along oneday in a C90,low altitude going into some of the world's busiest airspace, and all of a sudden a glider came up from under the nose and was right in front of us
!! ATC knew and saw nothing. We banked hard right and missed.Thankfully, we were on an empty positioning leg, and we were not heads down in the cockpit or looking in a different direction.
Gliders can do their thing all they want--I think it's great. But being invisible and nordo around class B airports when you are mixing with arriving and departing aircraft?????????????
After seeing the pic of the panel, I think the crew in the Hawker displayed some airmanship.
Last edited by GauleyPilot; 09-08-2006 at 09:33 AM.
09-08-2006, 10:38 AM
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
I guess the good news is, in every mid-air that I've ever heard of between a glider and a powered aircraft, the powered aircraft landed and the glider pilot either parachuted or died.
It's ludicrous to think that everything that flies must be positively deconflicted by radar though.
It's ludicrous to think that everything that flies must be positively deconflicted by radar though.
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