Meters or feet???

[G-man]

Well, you're right G-man !

If only my wife would agree with that statement.............. 

[Gulfstream Driver]

I mis-typed something last year, and I'm surprised nobody caught it.  1 nm is 1 minute of latitude.

I guess the only concern I have in this whole discussion is what happens when a glider using meters and an airplane using feet are in the same area?

[Mic]

Well, THEORETICALLY speaking, gliders are only flying under VFR rules, in class D to G areas.
In class D, the transponder is mandatory and the traffic information and separation is managed by ATC.
In all thoses class (D to G) airspaces, the see and avoid rule is in force. A glider pilot allways fly with the "nose outside". He never needs to look at his instruments. Exepted some seconds each 10 minutes on the GPS.
As the glider is unable to keep strictly his altitude, when he's transmitting his position, he'll give an average altitude or a range such as "flying from 3000ft to 3300ft".

The two only problems are :
- The IFR flight descending into non controlled area to save time and not using the see and avoid rule
- The military jets who flies at very high speed and below 1500ft, unable to see and avoid. We have a circular in France advising all civilian pilots that they must avoid to fly from ground to 1500ft as the military aircrafts are able to practice tactical flight training at any time and any location.

[G-man]

In class D, the transponder is mandatory and the traffic information and separation is managed by ATC.

Not in Class D airspace in the US. No transponder required for class D.

[Mic]

Arf ... lucky guys !!

[undatc]

You actually don't need a transponder or radio even.

Just need prior coordination with the controlling ATC facility in B or C.  Thou I'm sure if your reason to transverse a B or C is so you can just doodle around with your glider, im pretty sure they are going to deny you.  But say you needed to cross it to land at a glider facility for repairs, im sure ATC would work with you.

[Mic]

Well, in France the transponder and the radio contact are mandatory in a D airspace. All a lot of our previously E airspaces are re-classed now in D to be sure less VFR will use them...

As you now, VFR are quite like terrorists in France ... Our Authority's dream is a clear sky with only professionnal users, flying on regular airways with a lot of electronic devices to avoid any collision (against the ground, other aircraft, birds, clouds, UFO, ...)

[Gulfstream Driver]

That's kind of sad.  It's apparently what the FAA and the airlines want here, too.  APOA is fighting hard to prevent that from happening.