Couldn't the 24 month mandatory Transponder test be accomplished in the air with ATC?

[KatieB]

Originally Posted by dabney

Thanks for the details on the purpose of the transponder check. I withdraw my dumb idea.

I thought it was a good question. I'll bet more people will take the check more seriously now that they know what's involved!

[Jamie]

This is a good question, however I don't think it's a bad idea to occasionally ask ATC what altitude your transponder is reporting. If you have a standalone altitude encoder there is no easier way of knowing that it is reporting correctly except doing a full IFR-style pitot/static certification. Be sure you are using the same altimeter setting as the controlling agency though (we should all be doing that anyway, right?).

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by mburch

If you have a digital transponder - say, a GTX 327 or GTX 330 - you can do a basic verification of your encoder wiring by looking at the pressure altitude readout on the display. If it says something like "FL052" and you are at 5000 feet, then it's probably hooked up right. If it says "FL___" then it isn't getting an altitude input.

mcb

Thanks Matt. Unfortunately, I have a GTX320A. Any similarly easy ways to get a basic test on that?

[mburch]

Originally Posted by alpinelakespilot2000

Thanks Matt. Unfortunately, I have a GTX320A. Any similarly easy ways to get a basic test on that?

For that style of transponder, you pretty much have to use a transponder test set.

mcb