If they are flying in uncontrolled Class G airspace, then ATControl don't need to be aware of them and actually don't want to have to be aware of them. Awareness -> control -> responsibility -> too much workload.
You might be on to something here. But in this case I have to wonder why that hyperactive product manager / sales honcho had me work several months on it, as that guy has an ATC background. ![Shocked :o](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xshocked.gif.pagespeed.ic.CrwtrNUjLO.png)
There can be many speculations, from the positive to the negatice, with cluelessness in the middle ![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
A lot of glider and ultralight people would rather die young than implement safety devices that cost weight, money or complexity.
My comments apply only to gliding. I've no idea about ultralight nor hang gliders nor parascenders since I don't want to use my legs as undercarriage
![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)
The young tend to take more risks in any walk of life.
I haven't heard anybody object to the cost, weight, or complexity of safety measures. I've heard many debates about whether specific measures can be implemented, and whether they would increase/decrease overall safety. Such debates are essential. In my experience practical measures with a clear benefit are quickly implemented.
The lack of all these goodies has a clear consequence on the accident rate (guess why they are compulsory on larger aircraft),
That's too simplistic. Gliders can and should do things that large
commercial aircraft simply cannot.
so its a deliberate decision to live with a considerable risk or leave it. I'm fine with that - as long you just kill yourself, and not some
other people.
"considerable risk" is a personal value judgement; it is valid that I take a different attitude to you. I do not value a long life above all else, because that would be similar to a long "existence". Having seen and dealt with elderly relatives, I want to "go out with my boots" on doing something I love.
What I choose to do with my body is
my business. What I might do with
other people's bodies is everybody's business.
The sheer number of sad glider and ultralight crash casualties per year should be enough to start you thinking, however.
Maybe it is different in Germany. But over here there have been years with zero gliding fatalities;
It is also notable that there is a surprisingly high fatality rate amongst the top glider pilots. They choose to push the envelope, and they only have to get it badly wrong once. Shrug.
Gliding is one of the safer sports; I was much happier that my daughter was flying gliders than I would have been if she had been riding horses, or experimenting with motor bikes etc.