We're raising funds so that we can upgrade the existing glider tracking network so that it broadcasts glider positions to aircraft carrying the PilotAware system. So far, the costs have been carried by those hosting receivers - this is a chance for all pilots who benefit to make a contribution and so enable a complete rollout.

PilotAware is like Flarm, but works for other aircraft. Unfortunately, it and Flarm don't see each other.

However, the OGN and PilotAware teams have got together to (at least in part) fix this situation. By upgrading an OGN receiver to 'OGN-R', each receiver picks up the positions of gliders, and as well as feeding them into the tracking network, it rebroadcasts those positions to PilotAware-carrying aircraft in the vicinity. There are about 2000 Flarm equipped aircraft in the UK, and we expect about 3000 PilotAware equipped aircraft by the end of this year.

At a cost of £110-£230 per receiver, this is the most cost effective thing we can do to make gliders more visible to powered aircraft.

The money will be used for the rollout and maintenance of the OGN-R network. It will all be used for capital costs (ie not for anyone's time).

If you are a cross country glider pilot who uses Flarm, this will benefit you. As it will if you're a GA pilot who flies in the same airspace as gliders. Please consider making a contribution of what you can afford up to sponsoring a complete new receiver at £230.