Transponder Automation?

ljg

ljg

Well-Known Member
Yesterday I had a controller ask me to please stop turning my transponder ON until I'm on the runway because it automatically opens my flight plan and causes them extra work. (This particular GARMIN TXPDR always reverts to the ON position when you enter a sqwauk code, but the MODE C stays OFF). What was this guy talking about? ATC & Automation??? Wow. Can you guys please elaborate? Thank you.
 
He was probably talking about that in the FDIO/Center Computer as soon as your code tags up, the centers computer (where all the IFR flight plans are stored) automatically starts your flight plan, and the strips with the ETA of a fix/arrival etc starts up from that exact moment. I could see if CD/FD was slammed where this would be a pain in the neck if they had to do it everytime your clicked over to your squawk code.
 
Thanks!

What exactly is CD doing when the sqwauk tags up?

I had the transponder again today, but since the airport doesn't have ASDE, I just taxied out sqwauking 1200 and put the sqwuak code in holding short. Appreciate the response thanks much.
 
ljg said:
Thanks!

What exactly is CD doing when the sqwauk tags up?

I had the transponder again today, but since the airport doesn't have ASDE, I just taxied out sqwauking 1200 and put the sqwuak code in holding short. Appreciate the response thanks much.
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I'm giving you this part as a student at the Academy, not a checked off CD in the field (and technically it is Flight Data, but they are normally the same guy unless it is a busy airport) but when a guy departs, FD needs to send a departure message to let the center computer you are up and going. This is done automatically when you are within radar contact and the squawk code is the proper code, not that anyone ever tags up the wrong code ;). But if you are tagging up while on a ten minute taxi and it is going to center, then all your ETA's are ten minutes behind, the FD guy has to remember you and put in a departure message (controllers are "lazy" we/they[depending how you consider me] hate extra, unnecessary work).

Why are ETA's important? (And you may know this, but this is for those who don't, and for myself because I know I'll get feed back if I am wrong/miss something major) They are in place because of the procedures for lost comm and lost of radar contact (xponder goes down with no primary radar, loss of secondary radar, SAR, etc). That and from my understanding ETAs are factored into TMU flow control.
 
That is an interesting. :)

So does it help for runway incursion for ATCs if transponder on(not on mode C)?
 
adreamer said:
That is an interesting. :)

So does it help for runway incursion for ATCs if transponder on(not on mode C)?
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I'm not familiar with the ASDE system, so I can't answer that question, but it know ASDE is to help prevent Runway Incursions and TIPH v. ARR issues but I don't know.

As far as the transponder being on and not on mode C, ummm.... IMHO, it wouldn't make a difference, granted I'm thinking not ASDE airport, because you're on the ground, you may or may not be on the radar, if the tower has radar. All mode C does is put your ALT in the data block. It is so the guys looking at a radar scope get a 3D "image" of were you are at. On the ground all you need it a 2D imagine.
 
FWIW, right before we push back, we turn our transponders on to TA/RA. While taxing, we can see the airborne traffic on TCAS, but the verbal and visual alerts are scilenced. Seems ATC has figured out how to make the system work for 121 flying.
 
Cptnchia said:
FWIW, right before we push back, we turn our transponders on to TA/RA. While taxing, we can see the airborne traffic on TCAS, but the verbal and visual alerts are scilenced. Seems ATC has figured out how to make the system work for 121 flying.
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See that is what I thought... maybe the OP just got an class A+H personality controller, I don't know the situation that was going on in the tower/approach control, but I was going to say from what I have heard most 121/135 pilots dial up there transponder codes and click it on at taxi.

I don't know for a fact because the only other thing I have squawked other than 1200 was TRSA local VFR codes with on flight following through PSP airspace.
 
For most airports keep the entire transponder on STANDBY until at the hold short, preferably up until you receive takeoff clearance. The exception to this is if the airport diagram/AFD has specified to keep transponders on (for ASDE purposes) or the ATIS broadcast remarks include a statement saying aircraft are to keep transponders ON while taxiing.

When the radar receives your transponder as ON (whether mode c or not) it may activate some flight plan information while you are still on the ground. Also, at facilities where the radar picks up ground traffic, your 1200 code on the screen serves no purpose and clutters the display - keep it on standby.

ASDE (now ASDE-X i believe) interprets the aircraft's beacon code and displays the flight plan data block while they taxi around; id, type, scratch pad.
 
ljg said:
Yesterday I had a controller ask me to please stop turning my transponder ON until I'm on the runway because it automatically opens my flight plan and causes them extra work. (This particular GARMIN TXPDR always reverts to the ON position when you enter a sqwauk code, but the MODE C stays OFF). What was this guy talking about? ATC & Automation??? Wow. Can you guys please elaborate? Thank you.
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I think GTX 327 and GTX 330 can be programed as soon as the avionics come on, it boots up and turns to on automatically. You can download the manual from Garmin and do some fancy keywork while it's booting to get to the menu and disable that feature. It can also tie into your GPS (>30kts) or squat switch. You can even program the VFR button to squawk 7700, but I HIGHLY recommend not doing that (even for a practical joke.)
 
Most radar systems are setup with an altitude filter, normally around 300 feet from the surface so that controllers dont get ground clutter from aircraft squawking on the ground.

But yeah, if the radar system/STARS picks up your squawk(even on the ground) it will basically tell the system that you are airborne and your flight is now active.
 
Cptnchia said:
FWIW, right before we push back, we turn our transponders on to TA/RA. While taxing, we can see the airborne traffic on TCAS, but the verbal and visual alerts are scilenced. Seems ATC has figured out how to make the system work for 121 flying.
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They tell us to squawk "XPDR" (Mode A???), not TA/RA on the ground (at certain airports).
 
kiloalpha said:
I think GTX 327 and GTX 330 can be programed as soon as the avionics come on, it boots up and turns to on automatically. You can download the manual from Garmin and do some fancy keywork while it's booting to get to the menu and disable that feature. It can also tie into your GPS (>30kts) or squat switch. You can even program the VFR button to squawk 7700, but I HIGHLY recommend not doing that (even for a practical joke.)
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I'll look into that thanks.
 
germb747 said:
They tell us to squawk "XPDR" (Mode A???), not TA/RA on the ground (at certain airports).
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Might be your transponders are wired differently than ours? It says specifically in our FOM to go to TA/RA at all US Airports. Outside the US, it's whatever the local country wants.
 
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