DA40 Diamond Star
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 610; Flight Crew Type 540
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
While traveling south en route to FMY; having passed Disney World VFR level at 2;800 FT and having just left Class Bravo airspace; Orlando ATC asked us to vector easterly for spacing as we passed about 30 miles east of the Lakeland Sun and Fun restricted area. While being vectored in slight afternoon haze; a glider appeared turning in front of our flight path; 400 FT away at our altitude; traveling from east to west. My alert student-pilot wife saw it first; shouted; and we diverted left to maximize spacing. I informed ATC about the dangerous close call; and that we hadn't seen the aircraft on our active TCAS. Orlando ATC reported that they did not see him either on their radar. Our TCAS had served us accurately all day. Despite our doing everything as correctly and safely as we could; our lives could have ended because a glider pilot flew without a transponder in very busy airspace; not talking to ATC. I would like that pilot to know the risks his/her behavior creates; in hope that no one dies as a result of a repeat performance. Safety opportunities: 1) gliders should have transponders and squawk in busy airspace. 2) I was being vectored by ATC for traffic spacing; and was doing my best to aviate accurately on the ATC 'short leash' i.e. frequent vector changes. My head was probably frequently down; checking position; TCAS; route consequences of Orlando's vectors; restricted areas ahead; while glancing up frequently. I was behaving more like I would in IMC. 3) Perhaps glider activity should be announced like 'jumpers away' at parachute sites. 4) Glider pilots shouldn't behave like brazen cowboys.
DA-40 pilot experiences a NMAC with a glider near GIF at 2;800 FT and takes evasive action.