Entering transponder codes?

[Mike H]

I notice a lot of 2XXX transponder codes coasting in.

Any truth to the "OMG NEVER squawk 0000 because they'll think you're a drone!"

That's another one to toss on the oveused joke pile:

Running Oversquare
Raising the Flaps in the Flare
Cancelling IFR at the Gate
Shock Cooling
Slipping a Skyhawk with Full Flaps
Tailwheels are Dangerous
Transponder to standby when changing codes
Stalls with the gear retracted, and
OMG NEVER squawk 0000 because they'll think you're a drone

I better write these down or I'll forget 'em

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I notice a lot of 2XXX transponder codes coasting in.

Any truth to the "OMG NEVER squawk 0000 because they'll think you're a drone!"

If you were really curious, 7110.65 describes how transponder codes are assigned. That particular section was handy ("why do I always get 4XXX as a TEC flight?") but really dry.

 

[TFaudree_ERAU]

I thought it had 4096 different possible beacon codes or is that something that has been passed down without somebody checking the math?
"It's a 4096 Mode C transponder, because that's how many codes there are."
"Sounds good to me"

The question isn't how many codes a Mode C transponder can squawk, but rather the likelihood of someone flipping through a code already assigned to another aircraft. Remember, a single radar site will probably never see 4096 aircraft at the same time.

 

[Screaming_Emu]

If I don't do it within about 5 seconds I forget the new code.

Yup...I can only hold so many numbers in my head at once. Quite often I'm fine until I say the numbers in my callsign...then whatever I was just told is gone.

"Squawk XXXX Acey XXXX.....wait...what was the code gain?"

 

[Screaming_Emu]

Because our software cycles radar hits every 5 seconds, we quite often can "see" pilots flipping codes.

Coming off the ocean we've on more than one occasion had it "catch" the transponder on a code 7500.

It's almost universally assumed to be an error in code change, but when you have a 767 heading to JFK it still normally requires a bit of checking into.

The CRJ allows you to change any radio freq's or codes on the radio page of the FMS. Punching it in should eliminate that. Not a big deal...but usually I don't have a whole lot else going on.

 

[Jed1087]

Interesting..I always wondered about this

 

[denver]

That's another one to toss on the oveused joke pile:

Running Oversquare
Raising the Flaps in the Flare
Cancelling IFR at the Gate
Shock Cooling
Slipping a Skyhawk with Full Flaps
Tailwheels are Dangerous
Transponder to standby when changing codes
Stalls with the gear retracted, and
OMG NEVER squawk 0000 because they'll think you're a drone

I better write these down or I'll forget 'em

You forgot

Downwind turn the airplane looses lift
Following sea is dangerous
Lean of Peak burns exhaust valves
Overhead switches are cool (They are not, they make your arms tired unless you can hang on the throttles(Twin Otter))

 

[Roger, Roger]

I want to squawk 1337.

 

[aviatoralex]

If I don't do it within about 5 seconds I forget the new code.

Why not write it down

 

[Bernoulli Fan]

Why not write it down

The risk of fumbling one's pen, dropping it on the floor, smashing one's head against the yoke reaching to the floor, and causing an uncontrolled descent toward an aircraft carrying the first lady is too great.

 

[jtrain609]

Why not write it down

Because it's easier to punch it into the FMS while the controller is talking to you. Kind of like how I change frequencies, otherwise I'd forget them by the time I go to repeat them.

 

[aviatoralex]

Because it's easier to punch it into the FMS while the controller is talking to you. Kind of like how I change frequencies, otherwise I'd forget them by the time I go to repeat them.

To each his own then? I write everything down.

I think some pilots don't even write their clearance down..
How..

 

[Vector4Food]

Not sure Doug what happens when you squawk all 0's

I know that's what shows up when your transponder is working but for some reason we can't interrogate it, (rare)

 

[Vector4Food]

Because it's easier to punch it into the FMS while the controller is talking to you. Kind of like how I change frequencies, otherwise I'd forget them by the time I go to repeat them.

Some guys are so fast they change freqs before they read it back... Annoying bit that

 

[aviatoralex]

Some guys are so fast they change freqs before they read it back... Annoying bit that

Aviate, navigate, communicate.

 

[derg]

Why not write it down

Easier just to tune it in as you repeat it to ATC.

Having to reach for a pen is a little awkward sometimes.

 

[elmetal]

Aviate, navigate, communicate.

a squawk is typically on the ground for me unless I'm getting a popup so the first 2 are eliminated on most occasions

I'm just being a nugget

 

[aviatoralex]

a squawk is typically on the ground for me unless I'm getting a popup so the first 2 are eliminated on most occasions

I'm just being a nugget

well changing the frequency is still navigating, so even if aviate is out of the picture navigate is still in front of communicate

I'm just being whatever my custom user title says I am

 

[MikeD]

Having to reach for a pen is a little awkward sometimes.

might have to actually put the latte down?

 

[derg]

might have to actually put the latte down?

Yeah!