Minden Soaring Club

Transponder code now 1202 for gliders

Effective March 8, the FAA wants all gliders flying in the Minden/Carson/Reno area to squawk 1202 on their transponder if they are not in contact with ATC and instructed to do otherwise.  The same code is to be used by gliders all over the US unless local agreements are in place or unless ATC instructs you to do otherwise.

The previous glider squawk code (0440) is no longer to be used.

The new squawk code goes into effect March 8.  This assumes, of course that you have a transponder, preferably one that reports your altitude. 

If you do not, we urge you to install one.

The new squawk code results from several years' negotiation between the FAA and the Soaring Society of America.  Having a single code for the entire nation should make for better compliance and ease of operation.

Please change the squawk code on your transponder the next time you go soaring!

This is a message that we received from Gordon Boettger. We feel that this is very important and decided to post this on the homepage.

Here is Gordo's message:

Folks,

Just spent the day at OAK ARTCC.  They keep emphasizing that for safety reasons all gliders "should" (highly recommended) squawk around the RNO area.  They said that chunk of airspace still scares the hell out of them.  They mentioned that they're still seeing a lot of nonsquawkers out there.  When they're dealing with nonsquawking targets that suddenly disappear from their screen near an arriving/departing aircraft, it not only makes them really nervous, but their workload goes up and makes their job much harder.  Although I wasn't dealing with NORCAL, OAK ARTCC handles all arrivals in/out of RNO above FL190.  The approach plates for all the approaches into RNO have a large note saying "EXTENSIVE GLIDER OPERATIONS UP TO FL180" but that doesn't guarantee anything.  I CANNOT OVEREMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEED TO SQUAWK WITH MODE C WHENEVER AIRBORNE when flying from airports around the Reno area.  It's pretty simple.  Turn the bloody transponder on before takeoff just as one would the radio and leave it on. That way you won't forget it airborne.  Plus, that will allow us glider guys that have a PCAS device or FLARM to see those that don't have FLARM or PCAS.  There's no excuse anymore for not having and using a transponder.  It doesn't matter if you're flying a 1-26 or an ASW-27.  If you don't have a transponder yet, GET ONE.  If we have another glider swapping paint with someone, we'll be having some major problems with soaring in our future. 

I'm not sure what's going on with the squawk code issue, but whether it's 1202 or 0440, whatever you have dialed in they'll see you.  My routine is to always call NORCAL on the radio too and make sure I'm in radar contact.  After all, although I have my transponder on doesn't mean that they necessarily see me or my altitude.  It might not be working properly.  I usually get a mode C check while I'm talking to them.  I'm always aware of their arrivals (north/south) into RNO and if I ever get near their departure/arrival corridor, I state my intentions.  They seem to really like that.

Please pass this on to as many people that you know.

Thanks,

Gordo