1200 — VFR aircraft. The default code for all flights–if you aren't asked to set anything else, you should set 1200. These last three codes, 7500, 7600, and 7700, display special notes for air traffic controllers. Controllers can set up their scopes to filter some planes off.
VFR gliders should squawk 1202 in lieu of 1200. Gliders operate under some flight and maneuvering limitations.
The second emergency squawk code is 7600, showing ATC that the aircraft has lost verbal communication. This could mean that it can still hear ATC and yet not respond, in which case the ATC will direct the pilot to speak with them through the Ident button.
For example, "1200" in the USA means that the flight is flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and is not typically in direct contact with ATC. "1200" is a shared code so you may see many aircraft transmitting it at the same time in a given area.
Code 7600 is the code for a loss of radio. If a pilot's radio goes out during a fight, they can enter 7600 into the transponder. Then they should proceed to their intended airport following a standard landing plan. Pilots should be extra careful and on alert for other aircraft around them in the sky.
FAA requires: Day VFR: 30 minutes. Night VFR: 45 minutes. Day or Night IFR: 45 minutes. (FAR 91.151, 91.167) ASI recommends: Minimum 60 minutes for all, assuming that all contingencies have been accounted for (diversions, holding, headwinds, etc.).
The VFR Cruising Altitude rule does not apply below 3,000 feet AGL. There are some altitudes, however, that pilots seem to choose for level flight. Close to sea level they are 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500. They are easy to read and remember on an altimeter.
Transponder Squawk Codes You Should Know
0000 — A generic code that is not assigned and should not be used. 1200 — VFR aircraft. The default code for all flights–if you aren't asked to set anything else, you should set 1200. 7500 — Hijacking. 7600 — Voice radio failure.
Series 20 — Code 2000 is to recognize an aircraft that has not received instructions from the air traffic control units to operate the transponder.
Code 7400 may be displayed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) when the control link between the aircraft and the pilot is lost. Lost link procedures are programmed into the flight management system and associated with the flight plan being flown. When you observe a Code 7400 display, do the following: a.
Squawking 7700 in an emergency
Reserved codes are used in particular situations when an aircraft wants to communicate something to ATC urgently. The most well know of these is the code 7700. This is used to indicate an emergency of any kind.
- WHAT ABOUT SSR CODE 1000? Mode S conspicuity code A1000 can be assigned to aircraft with mode S capability flying in airspaces able to correlate flight plan information using aircraft ID instead of a discrete 4 digit mode A code.
Transponder Squawk Codes
Code 1400: This code is to be used when flying in controlled airspace and you are not receiving a transponder signal from ATC.
VFR cruising altitude rules in the US and Canada
In the US, there are specific VFR cruising altitudes, based on the aircraft's course, to assist pilots in separating their aircraft while operating under visual flight above 3,000 ft above the surface (AGL) but below 18,000 ft Mean Sea Level (MSL).
So: In my view, flying VFR in heavy rain is not a serious problem as long as you maintain adequate visibility. The same goes for IFR as long as you watch out for heavy precipitation associated with convection and you make sure your electronics stay dry.”
Prudent pilots typically set higher weather minimums for night VFR flights. FAR 91.157—In order to get a Special VFR clearance at night, you must have an instrument rating, an instrument-equipped airplane, 1 mile visibility, be able to remain clear of clouds, and a Special VFR clearance from air traffic control.
VFR aircraft also must maintain a horizontal distance of 1sm from clouds while operating in Class E at and above 10,000ft. Below 10,000ft, the increase in TAS is reduced due to the lower altitudes. Therefore, the minimum forward flight visibility can be reduced from 5sm to 3sm.
Wake turbulence poses a major risk to other aircraft, so pilots and ATC use the term “heavy” in radio transmissions as a reminder that the aircraft's wake may be dangerous to others passing behind or below the flightpath of these larger-mass aircraft.
The first emergency code that you may have become familiar with is Squawk 7500. This code is used to indicate that the aircraft has been hijacked, and therefore requires urgent emergency support from both security services and air traffic control.
The squawk code 7500 is an emergency code used by pilots to inform ATC of a plane hijacking taking place, which means that the pilots have either been forced to change course or are no longer in control of the aircraft.