Mode S Transponders

In the meantime the message from the presentation is that the proposals are not cast in stone and the CAA will listen to all reasonable arguments provided there is sufficient weight of response in both quantity and quality. Quantity relies on EVERY ONE OF US responding using the on-line form, email or letter. Quality relies on each of us using OUR OWN WORDS to explain how the proposals would affect us as individuals and our club - the following are possible examples but there are lots of others: Our club is unique in that we 'live' in controlled airspace and operate under a letter of agreement. These proposals could possibly close us down so it is vital that every member responds to this CAA proposal.

Technical - "I haven't got the space or weight capacity in my glider" or "I cannot physically fit sufficient battery power to run my basic instruments and safety instruments (Flarm and Moving Map) as well as a Mode S transponder", for example. Maybe send a photo of your panel and ask them where you can fit a transponder.

Financial - "I am a poor teacher who can't afford the significant cost of installing in my syndicate glider" or "my glider is only worth £500 at present so it is economic nonsense to spend £2,000 to £5,000 to fit a transponder", etc

Operational - "I have 2,000 hours flying gliders and one of the most enjoyable parts are flying in wave, often up to 15,000 ft" for example when I go on club expeditions to wave flying clubs.

Situational - My club, The London Gliding Club at Dunstable, is situated within the Luton controlled airspace where we have an excellent record of safe operations using a Letter of Agreement. The consultation document proposes that gliders flying in controlled airspace will have to be fitted with transponders. I fly an old glider that has no power source at all and is worth perhaps £1500 therefore I shall be unable to continue flying at Dunstable. Mr Phil Roberts of the CAA stated at the Lasham meeting that the 'CAA has no intention of stopping people flying or closing down any clubs'.

Future - "I am just learning to fly but I have ambitions to go on our club expeditions and learn to achieve these wonderful wave flights at between 10,000 and 20,000 ft that I see photos of and read the descriptions from pilots" in Sailplane and Gliding magazine.

These are just a few ideas of the sort of responses that you can customise to your own situation or opinions and then explain the impact of the proposals on you. There are many more that I'm sure you can bring to mind. The CAA have asked for "constructive" ideas if possible so suggestions that "gliders could be allowed into TMZ's (sorry, Transponder Mandatory Zones - in case you haven't yet read the documents!) without transponders as a special case" or "gliders could be allowed above FL100 without transponders" would be better than "I don't agree with Option 3 or Option 2". Again, please come up with your own ideas and words.

The BGA website is being updated regularly with the latest advice and, rather than overload your inbox with attachments, I will simply show the links to follow:

This page has useful links on the right hand side to:

Introduction and some Questions and Answers - 6 pages written by the BGA

BGA Draft Response - 8 pages that give some ideas/ammunition/facts and figures that you could use in your replies but please make sure you use your own words in your replies. This draft is updated periodically and is intended to be the overall response from our umbrella organisation on our behalf. However it is no substitute for the personal customised response that shows how the proposals will affect individuals directly.

Backgrounder - 4 pages by the BGA in reply to a request by the CAA for information about the altitudes that gliders operate at.

Come to one of the Mode S paperwork sessions - there is a list on the upcoming events page and at the bottom of this text. Remember the deadline for replies is end of May so there isn't much time left to respond.

If you feel able and are well enough informed then please prepare and send your response as soon as possible to the CAA by one of the following:

• Online Consultation Response Form
• By email to: modesconsultation@caa.co.uk
• By post to: Mr Andy Knill, Head of Surveillance & Spectrum Management, Directorate of Airspace Policy, Civil Aviation Authority, CAA House, 45-59 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TE.

Responses impact on you and/or your counter proposals by email, email attachment or by letter - avoiding the constraints of the on-line response form format. If you do, don't forget to be clear about "where you are coming from", or aspire to come from, (e.g. wave soaring XC glider pilot or owner of low value glider or your expertise) and which of the CAA's "Options" you are referring to.

Don't be put off by the advice that your response must not copy that of others. That's true. But there is a danger of believing you must think up your own original arguments against these proposals. That wouldn't be true. Good if you can come up with something new but there are only so many counter arguments that can be put up - you are bound to be repeating points made by the BGA and/or others. The important point is to not repeat the words that have been used by others.

After sending off your response -

• 1. Complete the BGA Response Tracking Form (2 minutes).
• 2. Send me (carrwithall @ btinternet.com - to protect Carr from SPAM you need to remove the spaces around the @ sign!) an email to confirm that you have sent a response to the CAA. Otherwise I'll keep chasing you.

Dates of meetings to assist form filling. If you have a laptop please bring it to complete word document (link to follow)

Sunday 18th May	09.00	LGC Briefing room
Monday 19th May	09.00	LGC Briefing room
Tuesday 20th May	09.00	LGC Briefing room
Wednesday 21st May	09.00	LGC Briefing room