RV628PV Squawk..... Never had that before!
 

Coming home from Lake Havasu on Sunday, I called Los Angeles Center for flight following home to Rosamond Skypark. I ALWAYS use flight following when flying long distances.

I'm squawking 1200 as I call.
"LA Center, RV628PV, VFR Request".
"RV628PV, squawk 7701, ident and say request".

So I start turning knobs (as I've done for 36 years) and start with the first knob...I spin it to 7...I grab the second knob and start spinning it...to 3, 4...then I SEE 7400, pause...I then grab the last knob, spin it to 1, then go back to the second knob and spin it to 7.....that could have caused some momentary excitement at LA Center!!!!!

NEVER CAN I RECALL having been given a 77XX code, let alone 7701 :eek:

Sitting on the ramp in the plane, I posed this question to Victoria (knowing the answer already) and she didn't even blink; She started on the last knob (since that knob is closer to her), and using her left hand, she put in 1077 from right to left...good girl!

Has anyone else ever been given a 77XX code? Rosie

I have not. And frankly I can't see why they would ever give that to anyone. Almost seems like a test.:confused:

77 code
 

Hello Rosie

I don't know about domestic flying but lately it has happened numerous time while transitionning from the NAT ( North Atlantic Track System ) to the Shannon FIR where I 've been assigned squawk code like yourself (7701,7702, even 7501 ) that one sure got our attention..

I inquired with Shannon and they said those are the codes they are assigned and that they rarely have one that stay at 7700 or 7500 for more than a few seconds..

I guess it prove that we're still awake even if barely after crossing 6-7 time zone..

Good on you to catch it before putting in the last 2 numbers..

Cheers

Bruno

Ya that seems weird to get those codes. I guess I've never really thought about it.

Since there are only 4096 codes, who decides what to assign. I'd guess airliners squawk the same code the whole route?

If I'm just flying around locally and call for a clearance though a D or something and they give me a code are they picking from an available list or something? Do different ARTCC's typically assign a range of codes? Interesting...

Yes, once had a 77xx code and I queried center before dialing it in - it's what they wanted and I complied. Must have been ~25 years ago and I still remember it fairly well. I can't recall the last time I was assigned a 7xxx

To the best of my knowledge whichever ARTCC initializes the flight plan pulls a random code and assigns it to that flight plan. That code will get you through the various airspaces until you enter another ARTCC, if that code is not currently being used it stays the same. Once you enter a different ARTCC where your present code is being used by another flight plan you get "N123 reset transponder squawk 7234." Airliners get code changes quite regularly.

For flight plan processing, the approach controls, class D etc are all assigned to 1 ARTCC and all flight plans pull from the 4096 possibilities. Except reserved codes such as 7500-7600-7700, or things like 1255 firefighting and others. I believe some places have a small bank of codes that they will use if a flight plan will stay within 1 facility such as a local flight within Denver class B.

Will we still have assigned codes with ADSB?

If we are outputting a unique code is it really still needed?

never have but it reminds me of a short transponder story...........

flying north up thru Washington's airspace i heard center trying to give out a new code to a pilot. over and over the pilot repeated back the incorrect code. after about 4 or five attempts center responded back with 'close enough'. :o

Yes, Gil - even in the ADS-B world, you'll have a 4-digit squawk code. Part of the reasoning behind this is to allow non-Mode-S aircraft to continue to function within the radar environment (note the term radar, not controlled airspace, where ADS-B will be required).

Yes for the foreseeable future, perhaps someday the code and radar will go the way of the NDB/ADF.