My "stupid" transponder question now...

[Chris G.]

To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...

What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
screen.

Chris

[Jim Burns]

Don't IDENT unless requested.
Jim

"Chris G." <nospam@noemail> wrote in message
enews.net...
> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.
>
> Chris

[Marco Leon]

Identing is a separate and distinct function. You should not do it unless
specifically asked to. It is entirely possible that a controller would give
you a squawk code and immediately ask another to IDENT creating confusion.

Marco Leon

"Chris G." <nospam@noemail> wrote in message
enews.net...
> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.
>
> Chris



Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

[Thomas Borchert]

Chris,

> Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested?
>

The AIM (and the German AIP, for that matter) is crystal clear on that:
NEVER hit ident unless the controller tells you to. Also, do not switch
the transponder to standby when changing codes.

You're not necessarily helping the controller by making your radar
return go blink or bloom (depending on equipment) without him/her
expecting it. Instead, it will cost valuable time to deal with the
confusion.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Mortimer Schnerd, RN]

Chris G. wrote:
> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.


Nope... if he says to squawk, I squawk. If he says to ident, I ident. The two
are not the same thing.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

[Newps]

Chris G. wrote:

> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.
>

No reason to ident unless asked. It does not make it easier to identify
you under any circumstances.

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Chris G. wrote:
>
>> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>>
>> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
>> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
>> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
>> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
>> screen.
>>
>
> No reason to ident unless asked. It does not make it easier to identify
> you under any circumstances.

Then why would we ever be asked to ident?

[George Patterson]

Chris G. wrote:
> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...

Only if requested.

George Patterson
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks.

[kontiki]

Possibly in a busy airspace... he may want to see where you are immediately
after assigning your squawk code.

Gig 601XL Builder wrote:

> "Newps" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>
>>Chris G. wrote:
>>
>>
>>>To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>>>
>>>What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
>>>is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
>>>habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
>>>area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
>>>screen.
>>>
>>
>>No reason to ident unless asked. It does not make it easier to identify
>>you under any circumstances.
>
>
> Then why would we ever be asked to ident?
>
>

[Newps]

Gig 601XL Builder wrote:


>>>
>>
>>No reason to ident unless asked. It does not make it easier to identify
>>you under any circumstances.
>
>
> Then why would we ever be asked to ident?

To make a legal radar identification the controller must see the code
change from 1200 to whatever code he gave you. If he doesn't see it he
will ask you to ident, this also qualifies. Same goes for a departure
off an airport in the middle of nowhere, all of a sudden the radar sees
a code, there was no code change, therefore an ident is required. There
are many letters of agreement that allow pre assigned codes. For
example for our local Help Flight helicopte is permanently assigned the
code of 0222. To make a legal ID the controller is supposed to have him
ident. In practice if I see a 0222 code I don't make him ident. It's a
trivial matter so I just skip it.

[Peter R.]

Gig 601XL Builder <wr.giacona@coxDOTnet> wrote:

> Then why would we ever be asked to ident?

I often get asked to IDENT upon reaching a specific altitude when departing
IFR below radar coverage. Since it normally takes a few minutes to reach
the altitude where asked to do so, perhaps an IDENT is a way for the
controller to immediately be reminded that my aircraft has appeared, in the
event s/he has gone on to other tasks.


--
Peter


















----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

[tony roberts]

If tower says ident - then ident.
If they don't - then don't.

Tony
C-GICE
In article .net>,
"Chris G." <nospam@noemail> wrote:

> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code? Once you enter the code,
> is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested? My
> habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.
>
> Chris




--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Chris G." <nospam@noemail> wrote in message
enews.net...
>
> To IDENT or not to IDENT, that is the question...
>
> What do you guys do when given a squawk code?
>

Enter the code.


>
> Once you enter the code, is
> that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested?
>

That's it, you don't IDENT without being instructed to.


>
> My habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
> area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
> screen.
>

That doesn't make identification faster or easier.

[Matt Whiting]

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:

> "Chris G." <nospam@noemail> wrote in message

>>My habit is to always hit IDENT so it makes it easier and faster (in this
>>area with realatively little traffic) to identify me positively on his
>>screen.
>>
>
>
> That doesn't make identification faster or easier.

What's the purpose then of the IDENT function?

Matt

[tony roberts]

> What's the purpose then of the IDENT function?

The ident function is for the controller - not the pilot.
Hitting ident temporarily deletes every aircraft from the radar screen
except yours!
So if I were a busy controller, watching a potentially developing
situation, and some dumbass entering the zone hits ident and wipes out
my screens for a few seconds - I'm going to be slightly less than
impressed.
It's kinda like hiring a carpenter, he's upstairs, you are downstairs
and you arbitrarily decide to switch on his power saw.
If he wants your help - he will ask for it.

Tony
--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

[Bob Noel]

In article <nospam-F2123A.22461516092005@shawnews>,
tony roberts > wrote:

> > What's the purpose then of the IDENT function?
>
> The ident function is for the controller - not the pilot.

true

> Hitting ident temporarily deletes every aircraft from the radar screen
> except yours!

Not true for any ATC radar screen I've seen, military or civilian.

--
Bob Noel
no one likes an educated mule

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"Matt Whiting" > wrote in message
...
>
> What's the purpose then of the IDENT function?
>

It's for radar identification, but observing a code change is also a means
of radar identification. Using two methods of identification doesn't make
it faster or easier.

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"tony roberts" > wrote in message
news:nospam-F2123A.22461516092005@shawnews...
>
> The ident function is for the controller - not the pilot.
> Hitting ident temporarily deletes every aircraft from the radar screen
> except yours!
> So if I were a busy controller, watching a potentially developing
> situation, and some dumbass entering the zone hits ident and wipes out
> my screens for a few seconds - I'm going to be slightly less than
> impressed.
>

I had to read that twice to make sure you were serious. Hitting the ident
doesn't delete anything, it just enhances the target of the identing
aircraft.

[tony roberts]

> I had to read that twice to make sure you were serious. Hitting the ident
> doesn't delete anything, it just enhances the target of the identing
> aircraft.

When I toured the Kelowna Control Tour, they told us that they don't
like aircraft Identing unless requested. They then asked an aircraft to
ident so we could see what happened.

As I recall it, the identing aircraft was highlighted and for a brief
moment the other aircraft were not visible.

Now you have got me wondering - I'll go there again this week and check.

Tony

---
Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

[Newps]

tony roberts wrote:

>>I had to read that twice to make sure you were serious. Hitting the ident
>>doesn't delete anything, it just enhances the target of the identing
>>aircraft.
>
>
> When I toured the Kelowna Control Tour, they told us that they don't
> like aircraft Identing unless requested. They then asked an aircraft to
> ident so we could see what happened.
>
> As I recall it, the identing aircraft was highlighted and for a brief
> moment the other aircraft were not visible.
>
> Now you have got me wondering - I'll go there again this week and check.

You can go for another tour if you want but no way, no how does one
pilot identing erase all other airplanes for any amount of time. Ever.
On any kind of ATC radar system. Period.

[tony roberts]

> You can go for another tour if you want . . .

Thanks - I was kinda hoping that you would give your permission.

Tony
--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

[Jay Beckman]

"kontiki" > wrote in message
...
> Possibly in a busy airspace... he may want to see where you are
> immediately
> after assigning your squawk code.
>

When coming off the Phoenix Class B transition from south to north for
landing at Scottsdale, I've been told to IDENT by the Scottsdale Class D
tower when I've already been released by the Class B controller to squawk
1200, frequency change approved, etc.

I'd say this is a case of wanting to pick me out of the clutter since
Scottsdale uses simultaneous left and right traffic for arrivals to RWY 21
and the release from Class B comes when you are already only about 7 miles
to the SW of Scottsdale.

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
AZ Cloudbusters
Chandler, AZ

[Steven P. McNicoll]

"tony roberts" > wrote in message
news:nospam-2FE79C.19193718092005@shawnews...
>
> When I toured the Kelowna Control Tour, they told us that they don't
> like aircraft Identing unless requested. They then asked an aircraft to
> ident so we could see what happened.
>
> As I recall it, the identing aircraft was highlighted and for a brief
> moment the other aircraft were not visible.
>

It was just your imagination.

[[email protected]]

Thomas Borchert wrote:
> Chris,
>
> > Once you enter the code,
> > is that it, or do you then hit the IDENT key, even if not requested?
> >
>
> The AIM (and the German AIP, for that matter) is crystal clear on that:
> NEVER hit ident unless the controller tells you to. Also, do not switch
> the transponder to standby when changing codes.

Hmm... I was taught otherwise. The idea was that you might cause more
trouble as you rolled through a series of codes, some of which might be
in use and cause more confusion. Better to lose your secondary for the
30 seconds it takes to make the switch.

-cwk.

[Newps]

wrote:

>
> Hmm... I was taught otherwise. The idea was that you might cause more
> trouble as you rolled through a series of codes, some of which might be
> in use and cause more confusion. Better to lose your secondary for the
> 30 seconds it takes to make the switch.
>

Another myth.

[George Patterson]

wrote:
>
> Hmm... I was taught otherwise. The idea was that you might cause more
> trouble as you rolled through a series of codes, some of which might be
> in use and cause more confusion.

I was taught simply to be careful to avoid the three emergency codes.

George Patterson
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to
use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks.