Several electronic conspicuity technologies coexist in the airspace shared by light aircraft: ADS-L, FANET (and its FANET+ variant), FLARM (and its PowerFLARM variant), ADS-B, the Mode S/C transponder, and PilotAware. They address the same need — being seen and seeing other equipped aircraft — but rely on different protocols, target different practices, and are not all relevant to paragliding.
Overview
| Technology | Target audience | Equipment | Status for free flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADS-L | Light aircraft (paraglider, hang glider, glider, microlight) | Compact, low-cost units | Transmission (Out) recommended by FOCA for paragliding; reception (In) to be considered depending on the device |
| FANET / FANET+ | Paraglider, hang glider | Ad hoc network specific to free flight, often integrated into the vario | Existing equipment (FANET or FANET+) to be kept during the transition, according to FOCA — not an imposed purchase criterion |
| FLARM / PowerFLARM | Gliders, light aircraft, part of equipped free flight | Proprietary protocol, dedicated units or integrated into the vario | Widespread among glider pilots; useful in shared airspace |
| ADS-B | Commercial aviation, equipped general aviation | Certified transponders, more costly | Rarely carried natively in paragliding |
| Mode S/C Transponder | Certified aviation | Onboard equipment, dedicated power supply | Not suited to free flight equipment |
| PilotAware | Light aviation (notably UK), gliders | Units combining several reception protocols | Not widespread in continental paragliding |
ADS-L (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Light)
Recent technology designed for aircraft with limited electronics and power. See our article What is ADS-L? for details.
FANET and FANET+
Ad hoc network developed specifically for free flight, allowing the exchange of position and small data between equipped pilots — this is not a universal aeronautical conspicuity standard, but a network specific to the practice. FANET+ adds a compatibility layer with the FLARM ecosystem, the extent of which depends on each manufacturer. In Switzerland, FOCA's current recommendation for paragliding, hang gliding, rigid wings and electric slope gliders precisely combines FANET+ and ADS-L Out — see our ADS-L guide for paragliding. More details on the dedicated FANET page.
FLARM and PowerFLARM
Proprietary system born in the gliding world, with a trajectory prediction algorithm recognized in that practice. PowerFLARM is its more powerful variant (extended range and functions), used mainly in aircraft and gliders. Detailed comparison: ADS-L vs FLARM.
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast)
Mature international standard, used by commercial aviation and a large part of general aviation. Detailed comparison: ADS-L vs ADS-B.
Mode S/C Transponder
Radar surveillance equipment used in certified aviation, actively interrogated by ground radars or by TCAS. Its weight, power consumption and installation cost make it rarely relevant equipment for a free flight aircraft.
PilotAware
System developed mainly for British light aviation, combining reception of several protocols (including ADS-B and FLARM depending on the modules) on a single unit. Its adoption remains limited outside this context.
What to choose for paragliding?
- Paragliding / free flight practice → FOCA's current recommendation combines FANET+ and ADS-L Out, the only two technologies in this overview designed for this equipment; neither replaces the other.
- Terrain shared with gliders → check your device's FLARM compatibility as a complement.
- Terrain shared with general aviation equipped with ADS-B → a multi-protocol device broadens your mutual conspicuity.
- Mode S/C transponder and PilotAware → not relevant for standard free flight equipment, except in special cases to be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Our catalog favors devices compatible with ADS-L and/or FANET, in line with FOCA's recommendation for paragliding; check each product page for details on its FANET, FLARM or ADS-B compatibilities as announced by the manufacturer. Our configurator takes your practice into account to guide your choice.