Which Transponder?

happened in central Europe
but now I am flying in Australia
where a bit more airspace is left for us
:-)
Chris

"Eric Greenwell"
wrote in message

Where did this take place?
Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

Subject: Which Transponder?
From: "Ivan Kahn"
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 20:45:04 GMT

Suppression of VFR codes is an option selectable at each
radar controllers station. If he or she selects to surpress
VFR codes then all VFR codes on his or her display will
disappear. This only effects that one controller's display.

controller to see VFR traffic. But when things get really
busy the controller has the option to surpress. Keep in mind
that when they are busy they will only work IFR traffic and VFR
aircraft (on discrete codes) going to/from the primary airport.
So the only traffic outside of Class B, for which non-participating
VFR traffic is of concern, will be IFR operations to secondary
airports. In those cases they can turn-off suppression while working
one of then and then turn it back on once the handoff is completed.

So, are you saying that while an IFR aircraft is outside of Class B
airspace, and under ATC control, then ATC will turn off suppression so
they can see the VFR traffic?

If I've got that right, then isn't that what we want? ATC will keep
IFR aircraft away from VFR aircraft (that's me in my glider with my
transponder) while I'm outside of Class B airspace (the usual
situation).

I've never expected ATC to keep VFR aircraft away from me, though this
can happen if the VFR traffic is using Flight Following.

----------------------------
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Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

IF they are suppressing due to excess clutter, and IF they then turn
suppression off they will see VFR traffic. Normally, they do not suppress.

This began as a suggestion only to call ATC to find out if, and when, they
suppress in your are before spending the money. There are other things, such
as TCAS, which may well be reason enough to purchase a transponder.

Ivan

So, are you saying that while an IFR aircraft is outside of Class B
airspace, and under ATC control, then ATC will turn off suppression so
they can see the VFR traffic?

If I've got that right, then isn't that what we want? ATC will keep
IFR aircraft away from VFR aircraft (that's me in my glider with my
transponder) while I'm outside of Class B airspace (the usual
situation).

I've never expected ATC to keep VFR aircraft away from me, though this
can happen if the VFR traffic is using Flight Following.

----------------------------
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

In article Ls58b.317778$cF.96452@rwcrnsc53,
says...
IF they are suppressing due to excess clutter, and IF they then turn
suppression off they will see VFR traffic. Normally, they do not suppress.

This began as a suggestion only to call ATC to find out if, and when, they
suppress in your are before spending the money. There are other things, such
as TCAS, which may well be reason enough to purchase a transponder.

I pursued it because I was startled by the suggestion that people
responsible for separating traffic would remove some of that traffic
from their screens when it was most needed. As a counter example, at
our annual wave window meeting with the Seattle Center folks, they
specifically stated they never suppress transponder returns, but do
sometimes suppress "clutter", which might include non-transponder
equipped gliders circling or nearly stationary in a wave.

Regardless, a phone call is cheap, and I hope if anyone is told by ATC
that they do suppress VFR transponders, they'll let us know where that
is!
--
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directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 21:05:48 +0000, Ivan Kahn wrote:

This began as a suggestion only to call ATC to find out if, and when, they
suppress in your are before spending the money. There are other things,
such as TCAS, which may well be reason enough to purchase a transponder.

Actually I started this thread to find out what others are using before
paying out a small fortune for a transponder.

I fly from Worcester near Cape Town in South Africa. Without a transponder
we are limited to below FL085. With a transponder we can get cleared
to FL120 on most days and FL200 or higher with a co-operative controller.

If I do buy one, the idea is to get a diamond height without taking a long
and very expensive holiday! Wave flying from Worcester is really awsome it
would be a pity to go somewhere else to fly the diamond. Have a look at
our club's homepage for a sample pic, http://www.cgc.org.za/


Ian

In article ,
says...
On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 21:05:48 +0000, Ivan Kahn wrote:

This began as a suggestion only to call ATC to find out if, and when, they
suppress in your are before spending the money. There are other things,
such as TCAS, which may well be reason enough to purchase a transponder.

Actually I started this thread to find out what others are using before
paying out a small fortune for a transponder.

I fly from Worcester near Cape Town in South Africa. Without a transponder
we are limited to below FL085. With a transponder we can get cleared
to FL120 on most days and FL200 or higher with a co-operative controller.

If I do buy one, the idea is to get a diamond height without taking a long
and very expensive holiday! Wave flying from Worcester is really awsome it
would be a pity to go somewhere else to fly the diamond. Have a look at
our club's homepage for a sample pic, http://www.cgc.org.za/

FL085? Gulp! It sounds like a transponder would be worth the effort
and expense. I'm using the Becker ATC 4401 (175 watt version). At the
time I bought mine, neither it nor the Microair had been out long, so
I decided the Becker was a lesser risk and not much more costly.
--
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Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)

TCAS in my opinion is why you need a transponder! They cost less than a GPS
used to cost and they my keep a 737 or such from running over you. I fly at
the south end of the Dallas Ft Worth TCA and when the wind is from the
north they run Southwest 737's and anything going to Love Field into our
soaring area at and below cloud base. You can buy a Becker transponder or
the other one and have it installed for less than $2,000. This price doesn't
seem to be excessive to me for the mid-air protection that it might provide
you, squawking "1200" and looking around.
Bob Kibby "2BK"




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"Ivan Kahn" wrote in message
news:Ls58b.317778$cF.96452@rwcrnsc53...
IF they are suppressing due to excess clutter, and IF they then turn
suppression off they will see VFR traffic. Normally, they do not suppress.

This began as a suggestion only to call ATC to find out if, and when, they
suppress in your are before spending the money. There are other things,
such
as TCAS, which may well be reason enough to purchase a transponder.

Ivan

So, are you saying that while an IFR aircraft is outside of Class B
airspace, and under ATC control, then ATC will turn off suppression so
they can see the VFR traffic?

If I've got that right, then isn't that what we want? ATC will keep
IFR aircraft away from VFR aircraft (that's me in my glider with my
transponder) while I'm outside of Class B airspace (the usual
situation).

I've never expected ATC to keep VFR aircraft away from me, though this
can happen if the VFR traffic is using Flight Following.

----------------------------
!Replace DECIMAL.POINT in my e-mail address with just a . to reply
directly

Eric Greenwell
Richland, WA (USA)