Installation and Approval of Transponder Systems in Gliders/Sailplanes

The FAA has published an InFO notice, "To provide guidance for glider/sailplane owners and operators about the installation of transponder systems in gliders/sailplanes."

As background for this action, the FAA notes that, "On August 28, 2006, a Raytheon Aircraft Company Hawker 800XP and a Schleicher ASW27-18 collided in-flight at an altitude of about 16,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The collision occurred in an area frequently traversed by air carrier and other turbojet airplanes inbound to Reno/Tahoe International Airport and also popular for glider/sailplane operations because of the thermal and mountain wave gliding opportunities. The concept of see-and-avoid is limited in preventing midair collisions due to the high speed of the aircraft involved. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation asked the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop guidance material for glider/sailplane owners and operators on installation options of transponder systems and to aid in the prompt installation and approval of transponders in gliders.

Recommended Action:

Glider/sailplane owners and operators should be aware of the following information regarding installation and approval of transponder systems in gliders/sailplanes.

FMI: www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2009/info09009.pdf