Microlighters

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what the Transponder requirements will be in the future? Will a mode C transponder be fine for the next 10 years or will the mode S transponders become mandatory in the near future?

Thanks

I would also like to know????

Just my take.

The RYDAAR systems in SA will take a looong time to get to Mode S standard. There are huge uncovered area's ad transponders are not mandatory at all (not even mode A).

I would not spend the bucks on serious TX at this stage. Depends greatly where you are going to fly. operating out of FACT MAYBE worth fitting Mode C, but that a Maybe. I know PE is a requirement to have transponder as is FAJS and FABB and FADL. Not sure if it necessary anywhere else.

If you going to fly serious IF then go for it, but just around the patch get a better radio...

Just my 2c..

PS
I have Mode C in all my aeries, but use has been minimal... Only in TMA has it been required and I always had option to go below...

Thanks RV4ker,

That answers my question.

I'll settle for a mode C then. I would like to get into lanseria, grand central, wonderboom etc.

Regards

Cool, but just to clarify....

YOU DON'T NEED A TRANSPONDER TO GET INTO FALA, GRAND CENTRAL OR DA BOOM....

Thanks.....will just keep it low while not having transponder!!

Great to know this....think lanseria will accommodate my trike without transponder as well?

Thanks for info!

Maybe wrote:Thanks.....will just keep it low while not having transponder!!

Why? you can fly up to FL195 without a transponder IIRC. Where would you go with a transponder that you can't go now. I think you will find that there will be ZERO difference in your flying space with or without a transponder (especially in a microlight - be it trike or 3 axis). the airports that require TX, usually have limits on what type of aeries are allowd to land there....

Don't know if FALA will let you land there in ML, but it won't be because you don't have a transponder rather that they "don't" allow microlights. that said Demon and co operate UNDER FALA TMA without transponders every week... no big deal... Why fit it and go to that expence. SAPFA and Aeroclub fought hard to keep aeries in SA even under TMA's transponderless. Rather join one of these organisations and spend rest on fuel

The transponders are more the realm of IF airspace (that for us plebs in SA is above Fl195) where you are under rydar control. Below that it is a nice to have - FACT. You can fly up to FL195 without a transponer legally in anything that has ATF. If ATC give you squawk code, simply tell them you are not transponder equipped. no big deal. Only difference is that they will possibly talk to you more often to get position reports vs if you have TX and provided they can actually "see" you on it. I fly FAGM - FAVB every week. Transponder "works" less than half way at FL095. lower even less. You can fly on VFR flight plan with no transponder.... (again why fit it at all)

Simple question I would want answered is WHY fit it at all.

I have flown into every airport under the TMA (excl. FAJS and waterkloof) without a transponder. Pindene through militray airspace is also possible although when busy you may just have to wait a bit.

The transponder is a very expensive piece of kit which adds little (or no) real value to the fun flyer at lower levels. I have been accomodated in FABL TMA a couple times due to having a mode C transponder, BUT IF THEY HAVE IF TRAFFIC even with MODE S they can not accomodate you even if they want to.

Seems transponders are hugely misunderstood "tools". They are required by law in IF realm, but VFR I would say that unless I was forced to fit one I would not. they cost and drain power. All the aeries I have owned that have transponder, had them when I got them with exception of the Cubby, but we had to fit one to it due to ops from FABB. I leave them in the plane since a hole would look K@K, but they add nothing IMHO to my available flying airspace. There was a problem with the power supply on the RV's for 3 months. never noticed any different. Dialed in the squwark code given even though they were getting nothing no1 was any the wiser, until ATC asked me to confirm I was squwarking... Seems there was a loose wire that was intermittent... IMHO shows that vor VFR'ers it not adding anything.... that said it nice to have if you are temp unsure of your position. they can then vector you out of the SH!T. (ala Selati in 2007 air race when they had something like 21 requests for vectors) . IMHO reading road signs is cheaper, less embarassing and more suited to our type of flying....

Even if you fly a lawnmover i would spend the transponder boodle on a better radio before I spent it on Transponder...

Justy my 2c

PS
If you have the latest and greatest radio, spend TX cash on fuel, fun and memories....

Thanks,

My trike will then definitely stay without transponder.

I'll negotiate with the guys during 2010 to let us fly.....the story that gets to us via via via.... is that if you don't have transponder and flight plan, you won't fly. (this was the case during the last trials with the Confed cup a couple of months ago) .

thus i'll just file flight plan and reply by...im not transponder equiped?

Nevertheless.....

thanks for all the info you've shared with us!!

You will not be able to fly to or from Ballito without a transponder, this possibly from November. Although dates to be confirmed. We also have to monitor two radio frequencies, some radios dont have this feature. We have decided on the Trigg series of Mode S devices as they are primarily designed for trike usage. Ii seems that we will need a indicator device also such as a strobe or similar. So we could be classed as King Shakas alternative landing ground !! The entire club will be transponder equipped in the near future. The looms, antenna dishes and other hardware has been designed and will be made in the next few weeks, primarily for an Aquilla.
It is going to be difficult for some older pull start trikes as they will need batteries, regulators and other hardware so it becomes expensive.

Paul

Maybe wrote:Thanks,

My trike will then definitely stay without transponder.

I'll negotiate with the guys during 2010 to let us fly.....the story that gets to us via via via.... is that if you don't have transponder and flight plan, you won't fly. (this was the case during the last trials with the Confed cup a couple of months ago) .

thus i'll just file flight plan and reply by...im not transponder equiped?

Nevertheless.....

thanks for all the info you've shared with us!!

During 2010 you may have a slight problem, but R20K to fly on 4 weekends seems excessive. I was able to fly without transponder during the trials, but maybe that just because they did not know what was going on? Am sure if MISASA lobby whoever they can convince them that a microlight poses little threat of 9/11 carnage....

Buy case in point. If I was Ballito based I would have no choice. If the Ballito guys don't play ball and they get incursions (sp?) they will simply shut the airfield down. Then where to the the KZN coastal boys?

George you are totally correct and I may add that we have not had a whinge, moan or otherwise from the members, its actually a case of well quote "lets get on with it and fit what we have to fit" and we fly the approach routes and so on. I have ordered 20 units and we are fitting probably (hopefully) from about two-three weeks time. Our chairman and committee have done a wonderful job to negotiate that we remain and also the relevant airport authorities have been also accommodating. So as long as we behave ourselves all will be well. I also think that we may be a "test case" for the rest of the country. I will keep the forum updated. Microlights can live in harmony with Airbuses...

Squawk ZU- LUI

Excellent.

IMHO you will find the visiting pieloots "showboating" your biggest problem. When I was at FABB the locals behaved (even Jimmy G ), but those just dropping in to buzz the xlubhiuse would often break left (that through ILS for 03R FAJS )

Good luck and keep us posted of the specifics once done. When FAVG goes we gonna need somehwere to have a cupa, a and get some juice

Hi Zulu1,

you said you ordered 20 units? What makes where theY/?? with altitude encoder etc?

What did you guys pay per unit? Or what can one expect to pay?


Good luck that side!!

Would a transponder be a requirement to do the Kyalami VFR Route, say from Pelindaba to Heidelberg in a trike ?

That is if I were to remain at 6500ASL, or 7000ASL going south, and obviously staying clear of Controlled Airspace ?

I did that route twice today with no transponder....