You might have noticed on our squawk box that the number 50 isn't available, that's because 5050 is the designated frequency monitoring code for #
Some squawk codes are reserved, such as 7700 (emergency), 7600 (communication failure), 7500 (hijacking), 1202 (glider), 1200 (VFR), etc. One of these, 7777, is apparently used for "military interception." What does this mean in the United States?
If a crew resets their transponder to the emergency code of 7700 (squawking 7700), all air traffic control facilities in the area are immediately alerted that the aircraft has an emergency situation. It's up to the crew to let ATC know what the exact situation is.
There are 3 aircraft emergency squawk codes that every pilot needs to know. They are 7500, 7600, and 7700. It's not only important to know what the codes are used for, but also how to avoid switching to these codes in non-emergency situations to avoid setting off alarms in ATC facilities.
Emergency codes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Series 20 — Code 2000 is to recognize an aircraft that has not received instructions from the air traffic control units to operate the transponder.
Squawking 7700 in an emergency
The most well know of these is the code 7700. This is used to indicate an emergency of any kind. A pilot will enter this when in an emergency situation - either instructed by ATC after declaring an emergency or without communication if there is no time.
2200. VFR - Operating within a controlled aerodrome circuit. 5000-5777. IFR - Domestic (automated by position)
Squawk 7000: This is the 'conspicuity code' for VFR aircraft that are not assigned a specific code by ATC. Squawk 2000: This is the 'conspicuity code' for IFR aircraft that are not assigned a specific code by ATC.
A squawk of 4000 observed on radar by a controller usually meant that the aircraft operating in Special Use Airspace, exceeding 250 knots below 10,000 feet and/or rapidly maneuvering. It also normally means that they are not talking to an ATC facility.
The aircraft must squawk code 1201 for WN35 or 1204 for 90WA to indicate the pilot's intent to arrive or depart the airport. Pilots must exit the TFR via the most direct route before proceeding on course, or if arriving, enter the TFR and proceed to either WN35 or 90WA via the most direct and shortest route.
Aviators often speak “pilot English” to avoid miscommunications over radio transmission. “Tree” for instance, means three, “fife” is the number five and “niner” means nine, says Tom Zecha, a manager at AOPA. The variations stemmed from a desire to avoid confusion between similar-sounding numbers, he says.
Visual flight rules (VFR) at or below 12,500 feet above sea level (ASL): Mode A, Code 1200, plus Mode C. VFR above 12,500 feet ASL: Mode A, Code 1400, plus Mode C.
Gliders not in contact with an ATC facility should squawk 1202 in lieu of 1200. Gliders operate under some flight and maneuvering limitations.
Pan-Pan, short for “possible assistance needed,” is used to communicate an urgent, but not emergency, situation over VHF radio, in the case of aviation, to air traffic control. Examples could include a recreational pilot getting lost, or perhaps needing to climb to a higher altitude to sort a problem out.
“Squawk 1234” means to just dial 1234 into your transponder. The ATC radar will show the controller that number in the tag associated with your plane. If the tell you, “squawk 1244 and ident”, you should put in the code first, and then press and release the Ident (or ID) button on the transponder.
7777 is the transponder code for fighter jets carrying out an “active air defense mission”, i.e. an emergency interception.
What does the phrase "squawk 3456" mean? Set 3456 on the SSR transponder and press the special identification button. Set 3456 on the SSR transponder. Set 3456 on the SSR transponder and press the test button to ensure the functionality of the device. Standby on frequency 345.6Mhz.
Code 7776 and Code 7777 are reserved for SSR ground transponder monitoring. Are reserved for humanitarian flights.