Squawk

[EHM-1744 Danny]

I'm new with online flying, but I want to know what Squawk means? (stupid question, I know!)

[EHM-0005 Maarten]

From: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Transponder_code

Transponder codes are four digit numbers broadcast by the transponder in an aircraft in response to a secondary surveillance radar interrogation signal to assist air traffic controllers in traffic separation. A transponder code (often called a squawk code) is assigned by air traffic controllers for IFR or a VFR flight following. Most squawk codes are simply numbers assigned by ATC but there are some that have their own meaning and are used when radio communication is impractical or impossible.

1200: VFR flight, this is the standard squawk code used in North American airspace when no other has been assigned.
7000: VFR standard squawk code for most of European airspace.
0021: VFR squawk code for German airspace (5000 feet and below)
0022: VFR squawk code for German airspace (above 5000 feet)
Emergency codes If a plane squawks any of these codes, it officially declares an emergency. Warning alarms will go off at nearby ATC centers and NORAD and the aircraft will be given immediate priority over all other non-emergency traffic.

7700: basic in flight emergency code. will cause alarms to go off at all stations that pick it up and grant immediate attention from air traffic controllers monitoring the area.
7600: No radio. This code lets controllers know that a radio failure has occurred on the plane. Planes with a radio failure are given priority over other, non-emergency traffic, and ATC will communicate with them via aviation light signals.
7500: unlawful interference (hijacking) code. A plane squawking this code will be given any assistance requested. If the plane alternates between 7500 and 7700 rapidly, it means a request for immediate, armed intervention in the hijacking. If it is not possible for the pilot to set the transponder, they can also report a hijacking by using the phrase "squawking 7-5-0-0" during radio communications.

0000: military escort.
Squawk codes are 4-digit octal numbers, the dials on a transponder read from 0 to 7 inclusive. Thus the lowest possible squawk is 0000 and the highest is 7777. Because the 7000 series squawks are so sensitive in US airspace, care must be taken not to squawk 7500, 7600 or 7700 during a squawk code change. For example, when changing from 1200 (normal VFR squawk) to 6501 (an assigned ATC squawk), you might turn the second wheel to a 5, and then rotate the first wheel backwards in the sequence 1-0-7-6 to get to 6. This would momentarily have you squawking 7500, however, which might lead to more attention than you desired, up to and including a visit from a fighter jet.

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So in one sentence : It's a four digit unique code (for your area) that ATC assigns to you so they can identify you.

[Edit]
Please note that the last part (about accidently dialling 7500) is incorrect in my opinion. When you're dialling a new squawk (transponder code) then the transponder should not immediately broadcast that code. The manufacturer adds a delay of a couple of seconds to the device.

[EHM-1744 Danny]

And how do you 'dial' a squawk code?

[EHM-0005 Maarten]

As described in the text, a squawk code consists of 4 numbers. Each number has its own knob to turn. By turning this know you can select a number of 0 - 7. It depends on the aircraft in FS that you are using how to select this. In most cases you'll see a + or - sign when you put your mouse over the numbers.

[EHM-1365 Benjamin]

....the numbers should be found on the radio stack

[EHM-0654 Murray]

OK, knew most of that, but why "squawk"?

What's the derivation of the term?

[EHM-1670 Bill]

Electronic Navigation History
I fought the celestial vs electronics battle through most of WWII. I was with the B-29s initially in India as radar bombardment mechanic. I had learned LORAN at Boca Raton, FL and it became my duty to try to keep the APN-4 in my group (468th) operational. The set was in two units each the size of a 19" TV. 80 vacuum tubes made it operate until higher altitudes caused electrical malfunctions. Only good for 600 miles at night in the best of conditions. Reliability always in doubt due to tube failure, vibration of connections, corrosion and operator skills..

The Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) of WWII had eight codes in a 10"x 10"x 10" case which also included a thermite inertial bomb to destroy the interior on crash impact. British code name was "Parrot" which is why we still squawk. We now have our transponder soon to be all Mode S to tie in with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Information Service-Broadcast (TIS-B) which will give you all the information that ATC now has and spells the doom to RADAR as we now know and use it.

From page 6.38 at http://www.whittsflying.com

HEALTH WARNING This site is addictive. It contains an enormous amount of interesting information.

[EHM-1617 Iain]

The trem squawk comes from the military. Transponders were originated in the military - they started out as IFFs as Bill says. The military controller would tell the pilot: "Make your cockerel Crow!" - this meant turn it on. After landing, the pilot would say "Cockerel strangled" as a confirmation that it was now turned off.

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Thanks Bill/Iain



Great reason...