"Squawk Mode C" vs. "Squawk Normal"
Adam Porter
mode C." However, the 7110.65 5-3-3c says that the correct phraseology is
"squawk normal."
http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/ATC/Chp5/atc0503.html#5-3-3
I learned "squawk normal" in SATCO, so I don't know how the "mode C" crept
into VATUSA. <G> Is there a reason for it that I'm not aware of? I
searched the 7110.65 and didn't find any mention of "squawk mode C." It
does mention "squawk altitude," but not "squawk mode C."
Just thought I'd mention it. Using real-world phraseology makes it seem a
lot more realistic.
Chris Smith
comes from working with many newbie pilots. Because the level of pilot
proficiency and aviation knowledge varies so greatly among our members many
pilots get confused by "sqwk normal", having no understanding of what ATC is
requesting, and in some cases, even what sqwk refers to. I think the "sqwk
mode C" comes from the Squawk Box pull down menu having the exact wording
"Mode C" for the inexperienced pilot to see when they go fishing for what to
do next. This alleviates confusion for a pilot who does not quite
understand what we're after, and the experienced folks certainly understand
what we're asking for, all in one command. If you listen to our controllers
in ZJX (not sure about other areas, I don't get out much<BG>) I'm sure
you'll hear both used, depending on our impression of the pilot's
proficiency level. I will also add that I although I have never had a
controller say sqwk mode C in the real world, I have quite often heard the
phraseology "not receiving your mode C". Hope this helps explain it off a
little. I agree that the better the phraseology the better the experience.
However, you have to also consider that a lot of our folks have little or no
real world aviation training, so we bend just a little to accomodate that
and play to the lowest common denominator.
Chris Smith
I-1
Jax, FL
"Adam Porter" <l5gm...@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
news:40b14521$1...@127.0.0.1...
Adam Porter
phraseology and take a moment to explain it to the pilot if he doesn't know
what it means; that preserves the realism and the pilot learns something,
too. But I guess there's not always time for that, so "mode C" can be
handy, I suppose. <G>
Jim Johnson
same point across.
Jim
"Adam Porter" <l5gm...@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
news:40b1...@127.0.0.1...
Peter Salzano
alititude.
"Jim Johnson" <jim.jo...@verizon.net.nospam> wrote in message
news:40b16916$1...@127.0.0.1...
Casey Webster
you'll hear 'mode C' used by real world controllers too, usually in the form
of
"N12345, not recieveing your mode C, recycle transponder" or verifying
altitudes or unverified traffic altitudes. The one time my transponder has
gone bad so far (it was indicating 500' high), the controller told me to
"turn off mode c" rather than "stop altitude squawk".
maybe not perfect phrasology, but ive heard it on that air (along with tons
of other non-7110.65 phraseology by controllers)
-casey PP-ASMEL-IA
Kiel McGowan
or Squawk Altitude, it just states that those are the two preferred methods,
but it is up to the controller to get the pilot to understand what he/she is
asking them to do. Such as a pilot may have a transponder with just an
on/off switch but it contains Mode C readout still. For this pilot to
understand the controller may use Squawk On. Just as us VATSIM controllers
know that Squawkbox shows Mode C in it, so we should use Squawk Mode C to
have our pilots understand. I still try to say "Squawk normal, mode C".
But unless the .65 says "shall" you don't have to do it, its just the
recommendation of the lawyers writing this massive novel.
"Casey Webster" <casey@-nospam-trifocus.net> wrote in message
news:40b2631a$1...@127.0.0.1...
Adam Porter
Steven L. Cochran
Transponders have multiple detents on the Off/On switch.
There is Off, On, Standby and Altitude/Mode C and maybe a
few more on the new ones. In several places Mode C is not
required and not all aircraft have Mode C. So, it is possible to
Squawk Normal without Squawking Mode C. That is why you
have two separate pieces of phraseology. If ATC isn't receiving
your transponder you might hear them say "Squawk Normal"
and if ATC is receiving your transponder, but not any altitude
readout, you might hear them say "Squawk Mode C". It is a
throwback to the kinder and gentler days of aviation.
In any case, with Squawk Box, it is not possible to Squawk
Normal without Squawking Mode C. So, it doesn't really matter.
Steve Cochran
FAA ATC Retired
Commercial Pilot ASMEL-IA
"Casey Webster" <casey@-nospam-trifocus.net> wrote in message news:40b2631a$1...@127.0.0.1...
Richard Critz
<sl...@uplolgon.com.net> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> Transponders have multiple detents on the Off/On switch.
> There is Off, On, Standby and Altitude/Mode C and maybe a
> few more on the new ones. In several places Mode C is not
> required and not all aircraft have Mode C. So, it is possible to
> Squawk Normal without Squawking Mode C. That is why you
> have two separate pieces of phraseology. If ATC isn't receiving
> your transponder you might hear them say "Squawk Normal"
> and if ATC is receiving your transponder, but not any altitude
> readout, you might hear them say "Squawk Mode C". It is a
> throwback to the kinder and gentler days of aviation.
> In any case, with Squawk Box, it is not possible to Squawk
> Normal without Squawking Mode C. So, it doesn't really matter.
>
Actually, while it is possible, it is no longer legal, at least in the
US. In the US, if you are equipped with Mode C, you are required to
operate it while in flight unless otherwise instructed by ATC.
cz
--
Richard Critz
VP/Development (VATSIM26/VATGOV5)
VATSIM Board of Governors
VATSIM Network Team