Does anyone know of a device to track sunlight that would mount on an aircraft?

Question

I'm speaking of something that is small enough for light aircraft not equipped with radar or transponder.I think it could be useful as an anti-collision device in some cicumstances.If you have ever seen a flash from a signal mirror or a shiny surface then you know what I am thinking about. Thanks

Answer 1

Have you tried a sun-dial?

I'll get me coat.

Answer 2

It's an interesting idea, but unfortunately won't work any better than what aircraft already have. The problem is that people may not see it, just like they don't see the anti-collision lights aircraft already have. What happens if it is overcast and there is no sun to reflect? What about at night? Does the aircraft have to have both this system AND lights? More weight and more money. What if you are facing into the sun and have your visor set to block it, and now you can't see anything in that part of the sky? Remember that fighter pilots have always used to sun to make sure they couldn't be spotted by other aircraft. How many of these would you have to have on the plane in order to reflect the sun, when it is out, in every direction, and how much would that weigh? Remember that more weight costs more fuel and means that the plane can carry less cargo and passengers, which means less revenue. Higher cost plus less revenue equals going out of business.

For example, one collision I remember between a commercial airliner and a private plane was caused when the private plane did not receive proper clearance for where he was flying and flew on the same path as a descending airliner. The small plane was beneath the airliner and neither pilot could see the other plane. One of the big problems is visibility, you can't look everywhere all the time, and even if you could, think how often you are looking for something and end up finding it where you are sure you had already looked. People overlook things every day

Modern commercial and business aircraft, and a growing number of private aircraft, are equipped with collision avoidance systems where the transponders of the aircraft actually talk to each other and either give the pilots an escape path plotted on their instruments or actually take control of the aircraft to avoid a collision. This works whether or not the respective pilots ever even see the other aircraft, and could have prevented the collision described above.

Yes, there are still aircraft out there that don't have transponders, those that don't have the transponders that would work with collision avoidance systems, those that don't have collision avoidance systems, and those that don't even have calibrated flight instruments. In the future we will have to have all these aircraft equipped with these anti-collision systems because we can't rely on every pilot seeing everything, and these systems have proven to save lives.

Answer 3

Methinks you worry too much. If you are in a high enough density area to worry about collisions, get you a radio and transponder, or stay out of those areas.
For all the misinformed out there, there are still airplanes without a transponder or radio and are not required to have them.

Answer 4

no longer without her understanding about it. It appears like she's attempting to be careful of your safe practices, basically like you theory. because you/ve by no ability been in trouble for going the position you may not, basically keep doing like you've continuously carried out and there is basically no longer a project. in case you may go someplace incorrect, get damage, disappear, or the phone is lost or stolen - it truly is a very good ingredient she cares adequate to pick to understand the position you're. particular, all of us has lengthy gone places they ought to not have even as growing to be up, so it truly is only a reality of life - do not project about it. imagine of it as being fortunate to have a loving figure.

Answer 5

I didn't realize you could fy without a transponder. You know, if you had one, any aircraft equipped with TCAS could avoid you.

Not misinformed, just can't believe it and don't understand why.