Most checklists have you turn your transponder to "SBY" towards the end of the engine start checklist and eventually to "ALT" on the before takeoff checklist. The AIM, as of a n update in Feb, is recommending you turn it on much sooner.
FAASTeam Notice
This posting will be removed on
Wednesday, October 31, 2012 |
Recently a pilot informed us of changes to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) concerning the use of lights and transponder while moving on the surface of an airport. This pilot learned from a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Although it is your individual responsibility to stay aware of procedures in the AIM, we thought you would want to know about this particular safety initiative!
The AIM, which is available at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/Index.htm, is updated in February and July of each year, and included in the last February change was an updated description of the “Operation Lights On” pilot safety program.
In section 4-3-23, Use of Aircraft Lights, paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (g) describe the use of lights while on an airport. We invite you to go to the AIM and read each of these paragraphs. For example, paragraph (e) states,
Prior to commencing taxi, it is recommended to turn on navigation, position, anti-collision, and logo lights (if equipped). To signal intent to other pilots, consider turning on the taxi light when the aircraft is moving or intending to move on the ground, and turning it off when stopped or yielding to other ground traffic. Strobe lights should not be illuminated during taxi if they will adversely affect the vision of other pilots or ground personnel.
Furthermore, the use of your transponder while taxiing is recommended in paragraph 4-1-20. It says, in part,
Civil and military transponders should be turned to the “on" or normal altitude reporting position prior to moving on the airport surface to ensure the aircraft is visible to ATC surveillance systems.
We encourage you to keep abreast of the periodic changes to the AIM, and they make it easy by providing a change summary page for each change. We appreciate these items being brought to our attention so that we could share them with you.
The entire text from 4-1-20 a.
4-1-20. Transponder Operation
a. General
1. Pilots should be aware that proper application of transponder operating procedures will provide both VFR and IFR aircraft with a higher degree of safety in the environment where high-speed closure rates are possible. Transponders substantially increase the capability of radar to see an aircraft and the Mode C feature enables the controller to quickly determine where potential traffic conflicts may exist. Even VFR pilots who are not in contact with ATC will be afforded greater protection from IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft which are receiving traffic advisories. Nevertheless, pilots should never relax their visual scanning vigilance for other aircraft.
2. Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) is similar to and compatible with military coded radar beacon equipment. Civil Mode A is identical to military Mode 3.
3. Civil and military transponders should be turned to the “on" or normal altitude reporting position 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.
4. A pilot on an IFR flight who elects to cancel the IFR flight plan prior to reaching destination, should adjust the transponder according to VFR operations.
5. If entering a U.S. OFFSHORE AIRSPACE AREA from outside the U.S., the pilot should advise on first radio contact with a U.S. radar ATC facility that such equipment is available by adding “transponder” to the aircraft identification.
6. It should be noted by all users of ATC transponders that the coverage they can expect is limited to “line of sight.” Low altitude or aircraft antenna shielding by the aircraft itself may result in reduced range. Range can be improved by climbing to a higher altitude. It may be possible to minimize antenna shielding by locating the antenna where dead spots are only noticed during abnormal flight attitudes.
7. 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.
NOTE-
Pilots of aircraft equipped with ADS-B should refer to AIM, Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Broadcast Services, Paragraph 4-5-7, for a complete description of operating limitations and procedures.b
Pilots of aircraft equipped with ADS-B should refer to AIM, Automatic Dependant Surveillance - Broadcast Services, Paragraph 4-5-7, for a complete description of operating limitations and procedures.b
