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Is Your Transponder “On?” New Regulations for Taxiing

 

 

Is Your Transponder “On?”
 

You may be accustomed to switching your transponder to standby (STBY) mode while taxiing, but with the changes to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) in 2012, the FAA now recommends you activate your transponder prior to moving at an airport. 

 

The FAA updated AIM section 4-1-20, paragraph 3, to read as follows: Civil and military transponders should be turned to the “on” or normal altitude reporting position [ALT] prior to moving on the airport surface to ensure the aircraft is visible to ATC surveillance systems. In all cases, while in controlled airspace each pilot operating an aircraft equipped with an operable ATC transponder maintained in accordance with 14 CFR section 91.413 must operate the transponder, including Mode C if installed, on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC. In Class G airspace, the transponder should be operating while airborne unless otherwise requested by ATC. 

 

Also of note is paragraph 7, which states: “Aircraft equipped with ADS−B (1090 ES or UAT) must operate the equipment in the transmit mode (on position) at all times while on any airport surface.” 

 

Pilots using aircraft equipped with modern transponders, or those that have transponders integrated with the navigation system, will need to pay extra attention to transponder operations and to what mode is selected. These systems often have automatic features based on airspeed that control the transponder settings. You’ll want to override or reconfigure the settings to make sure the transponder is in the “on” or ALT setting while taxiing and not in STBY mode.

Comments

  • Ken

    Wow, interesting, I hadn't hear about this change. thanks for the heads up.