CAA conspicuity trials
Moderators: John Dean, Moderator
CAA conspicuity trials
CAA conspicuity trials
The CAA has issued the following press release which indicates the LAA are involved. Anyone any idea who is organizing our end and do they need any small composite aircraft?
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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has agreed to fund research into making light aircraft and gliders more visible to other pilots. Through the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI), the CAA has engaged with the British Gliding Association (BGA) and the Ministry of Defence to explore ways of improving the visibility of light aircraft, especially gliders. Being constructed of white composite materials many of these aircraft can be very difficult to spot when airborne.
The importance of the research was reaffirmed by the AAIB Report into a fatal 2009 midair collision between an RAF Grob 115E tutor, and a Standard Cirrus Glider over Drayton, Oxfordshire (see http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cf ... G-CKHT.pdf). The work will build on previousresearch carried outby Dr Tony Head of Cranfield University on behalf of the BGA.
The new research will involve a joint CAA/MoD trial, with support from the BGA, which will concentrate on the visual conspicuity of gliders and light aircraft. The CAA will fund the trial, while the RAF’s No 22 (Training) Group will assist with the provision of motor gliders and crews from Royal Air Force Syerston. The Light Aircraft Association has also been asked to assist in work to make the types of small light aircraft which are constructed from composite materials more visible. Results are expected before the end of the year.
Phil Roberts, Deputy Director of Airspace Policy at the CAA, said: “This research could have a significant impact on reducing future mid air collisions involving gliders and other small light aircraft. Improving airborne visibilityof gliders will be no easy task, but we are pleased to be working with the BGA and the MoD to try and achieve that goal and build on the earlier work done by Cranfield University.”
For further media information contact the CAA Press Office on: 0207 453 6030 or [email protected]
Follow the Airspace & Safety Initiative on www.twitter.com/airspacesafety
Notes to Editors:
The CAA has issued the following press release which indicates the LAA are involved. Anyone any idea who is organizing our end and do they need any small composite aircraft?
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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has agreed to fund research into making light aircraft and gliders more visible to other pilots. Through the Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI), the CAA has engaged with the British Gliding Association (BGA) and the Ministry of Defence to explore ways of improving the visibility of light aircraft, especially gliders. Being constructed of white composite materials many of these aircraft can be very difficult to spot when airborne.
The importance of the research was reaffirmed by the AAIB Report into a fatal 2009 midair collision between an RAF Grob 115E tutor, and a Standard Cirrus Glider over Drayton, Oxfordshire (see http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cf ... G-CKHT.pdf). The work will build on previousresearch carried outby Dr Tony Head of Cranfield University on behalf of the BGA.
The new research will involve a joint CAA/MoD trial, with support from the BGA, which will concentrate on the visual conspicuity of gliders and light aircraft. The CAA will fund the trial, while the RAF’s No 22 (Training) Group will assist with the provision of motor gliders and crews from Royal Air Force Syerston. The Light Aircraft Association has also been asked to assist in work to make the types of small light aircraft which are constructed from composite materials more visible. Results are expected before the end of the year.
Phil Roberts, Deputy Director of Airspace Policy at the CAA, said: “This research could have a significant impact on reducing future mid air collisions involving gliders and other small light aircraft. Improving airborne visibilityof gliders will be no easy task, but we are pleased to be working with the BGA and the MoD to try and achieve that goal and build on the earlier work done by Cranfield University.”
For further media information contact the CAA Press Office on: 0207 453 6030 or [email protected]
Follow the Airspace & Safety Initiative on www.twitter.com/airspacesafety
Notes to Editors:
021864
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Trials
I would hope that the trials would not be limited to choice of aircraft colours and flashing lights, but also include low-cost warning systems already in general use elsewhere (e.g. FLARM, of which the BGA now has some experience).
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Another interesting idea...as I fly gliders as well as Light aircraft, loading the airframe with layers of paint/decals etc would only be detrimental to the weight and performance of such a balanced airframe. Installing electronic methods (Mode S springs to mind ..aargh) is a non starter as most have limited battery endurance (weight etc). So apart from putting big dayglo stripes everywhere and wrecking the performance, why can't everybody just keep a good lookout, a good few encounters with light aircraft and gliders have occurred because of the advent of GPS and the need to concentrate on something INSIDE the cockpit and not outside!
Finally strobe lights/LED's - possible again, but the former will take too much power and the latter...well depends how long you're airborne before the juice runs out I suppose. Is there really an answer? Use eyeball Mk1, perhaps?
Finally strobe lights/LED's - possible again, but the former will take too much power and the latter...well depends how long you're airborne before the juice runs out I suppose. Is there really an answer? Use eyeball Mk1, perhaps?
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My opinion on transponders for what it's worth, they will only be 100% effective when 100% of airborne vehicles have compatible units fitted that can all talk to each other, & tell the pilot where to look in 3 dimensions.
I would guess that the result of this survey will recommend that we all paint our aircraft a particular shade of EASA approved black.
My completely unlit rape seed yellow will not do
I would guess that the result of this survey will recommend that we all paint our aircraft a particular shade of EASA approved black.
My completely unlit rape seed yellow will not do
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But did not the move to black cause an accident or near miss in the lake district when a black Tucano could not be seen against the lake? The RAF have gone back to adding some yellow again. Black works great against cloud but we operate with the ground as a background.
History repeats itself: Tiger Moths became camouflaged out of necessity during the war eventually covering the sides by 1941. When the threat of enemy action over the UK retreated in 1944 many units went to putting yellow back on the wingtips and around the fuselage since air to air accidents were the greater hazard.
History repeats itself: Tiger Moths became camouflaged out of necessity during the war eventually covering the sides by 1941. When the threat of enemy action over the UK retreated in 1944 many units went to putting yellow back on the wingtips and around the fuselage since air to air accidents were the greater hazard.
Stuart Macconnacher
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Isn't that basically what a FLARM does? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLARMhow much technology would be required for one GPS to read or receive the presence of another GPS & display that?