Beacon Code Assignment

Question 1

When must an aircraft be equipped with an operable transponder with mode C altitude reporting capability?

Answer 1

At and above 10,000 feet MSL excluding airspace at and below 2,500 ft AGL and in class A B and C airspace

Question 2

What must be done if Mode C fails above 10,000 ft MSL?

Answer 2

Advise a manager and coordinate with the next sector.

Question 3

What is a Mode?

Answer 3

The letter or number assigned to a specific pulse spacing of radio signals transmitted or received by ground interrogator or airborne transponder components of the ATC Radar Beacon System

Question 4

What is the application of Mode 3/A, Mode C, and Mode S?

Answer 4

• Mode 3/A- military and ATC common use (used by ATC for target tracking and identification)
• Mode C- civil use (ATC altitude reporting)
• Mode S- traffic alert and collision avoidance system TCAS

Question 5

Assign beacon codes to Mode __ equipped aircraft only.

Answer 5

3/A

Question 6

What is a discrete code?

Answer 6

Beacon code that does not end in 00

Question 7

Give first preference to ____ codes.

Answer 7

Discrete codes, issue computer-assigned codes (may be

modified as required) and make handoffs on the computer assigned codes

Question 8

What is a non-discrete code?

Answer 8

Beacon codes which end in 00

Question 9

What is NBCAP Airspace?

Answer 9

The airspace over the US territory located within the north
American continent between Canada and Mexico, including adjacent territorial waters outward to abut boundaries of oceanic control areas/flight information regions

Question 10

Each ARTCC is allocated…?

Answer 10

Discrete codes

Question 11

What are the primary goals of the NBCAP?

Answer 11

Minimize code changes and retain same code from departure to destination

Question 12

When can you request a code change?

Answer 12

Only when the aircraft is in your area of responsibility unless specified in an LOA, coordinated at the time of the handoff, or VFR aircraft requests radar service (coordinate ASAP after the aircraft is identified and prior to issuing control instruction or providing a service other than a safety/traffic advisory) this prevents inaccurate radar tracking

Question 13

What advantages does a discrete beacon code assignment provide the controller?

Answer 13

It allows the system to automatically recognize or identify the aircraft assigned that code

Question 14

What is the emergency squawk code?

Answer 14

Assign a code of 7700 is a pilot declares an emergency and is not radar-identified (EMRG blinks in the data block)

Question 15

When can you request an aircraft to change from 7700 to the appropriate discrete or function code? And what is the exception to this rule?

Answer 15

• After radio and radar contact are established. The code change will signify to other radar facilities that the emergency aircraft is identified and under ATC control.
• Do not request a code change from a single piloted helicopter or single piloted turbojet aircraft.

Question 16

What is the code for radio failure and what blinks in the data block?

Answer 16

7600 and RDOF

Question 17

What are lost communication procedures?

Answer 17

• Use all appropriate means to reestablish communication such as; emergency frequencies, voice capability equipped NAVAIDS, FSS, Aeronautical Radio Inc.
• Use transponder or turns to verify receipt of transmissions.

Question 18

What two types of aircraft continue on the emergency code even after radio and radar contact have been established?

Answer 18

Single piloted helicopter or single piloted turbojet aircraft

Question 19

When do you issue a code of 1200 to VFR aircraft?

Answer 19

When not working an ATC facility, IFR aircraft cancels IFR flight plan and does not request radar advisories, radar services being terminated

Question 20

What must be done when an aircraft changes from VFR to IFR?

Answer 20

Ensure Mode C aircraft are assigned a beacon code to allow Terrain Alert Volume alarms

Question 21

When do you issue a computer assigned code to a VFR aircraft?

Answer 21

When they are receiving radar advisories

Question 22

What might VFR aircraft not in contact with ATC facilities squawk?

Answer 22

• 1255- while en route to/from/within designated fire fighting areas
• 1277- while on search and rescue missions from US air force and US coast guard while en route to/from/within designated search areas

Question 23

What codes show up as VFR aircraft on terminal radar equipment?

Answer 23

All 1200 series codes both discrete and non-discrete

Question 24

The radar team shall continuously monitor what Mode 3/A radar beacon codes assigned from use by aircraft within your area of responsibility?

Answer 24

• 1200- VFR (unless your area is only class A airspace)
• 1255- Fire fighting aircraft
• 1277- SAR aircraft
• 4000- Fast maneuvering military aircraft (at positions of
operation that contain a Restricted or Warning Area and VR
Route within or immediately adjacent to their area of jurisdiction)
• These codes should be entered into the sector code list by the radar controller

Question 25

What do you do if an assigned beacon code disappears and re-identification is not possible?

Answer 25

Notify your supervisor

Question 26

What must be done when an assigned beacon code is not being displayed or transponder appears to be inoperative/malfunctioning?

Answer 26

Inform the aircraft and coordinate with the next facility

Question 27

What do you do when you want an aircraft to turn on/off the automatic altitude reporting on its transponder?

Answer 27

Inform the aircraft (not all aircraft have the capability to

disengage the altitude squawk independently from the beacon code assignment)

Question 28

Inaccurate or inoperative mode C May require ___ and/or ___?

Answer 28

May require coordination and/or an equipment suffix update