Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 36; Flight Crew Total 1646; Flight Crew Type 958
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
On IFR flight plan; cruise configuration at 4;000 feet MSL in contact with SHAW TRACON. Glider appeared off my left wing from above and within 500 feet. Don't know if glider pilot could see me under and below his wing - also in my blind spot due to canopy. I can't see an aircraft descending from above. Asked Approach Controller if the glider was indicated on radar. Got response from trainee Controller that no aircraft was on radar near me - Supervisor Controller responded that glider operations in the GAMECOCK I MOA all week - information provided via NOTAM for area. Supervisor Controller informed me I should have NOTAM and should be looking for gliders. I did not respond on frequency but instead contacted the SHAW TRACON OIC the following Monday and asked that they review this as a safety event. Gliders are difficult to see and are not required to contact the airspace controlling agency (operating inside MOA). These aircraft should operate transponder even if VFR to increase overall safety of all aircraft.
AA5 pilot reports an airborne conflict with a glider at 4;000 feet inside the Gamecock I MOA while on an IFR flight plan. The glider was not talking to ATC; had no transponder and was not visible on Radar.