Service Bulletin 20040518

Regarding: Squawk Normal - Squawk Standby

Delivery Controllers - There is never a circumstance when you will mention the transponder status of any aircraft. Do not ask a pilot to "squawk standby" OR "squawk normal".

Ground Controllers - The only time you need to mention the transponder status is when all of the following conditions are true:

1. In your judgement, the pilot seems clueless with regard to proper procedures. Generally, these are the pilots who seem new to aviation and/or online flying. It may also include pilots who take a long time to set their transponders to the assigned code, or continue to squawk an incorrect code.

2. You have observed the pilot squawking standby on the ground prior to his departure.

3. MOST IMPORTANTLY: You will be instructing the pilot to switch to UNICOM to self-announce his takeoff.

If you will be transferring communication to Tower, or Tower is transferring communication to Ground... there isn't any need to mention transponder status. Since data blocks can be turned off by CTR, APP and DEP, they no longer clutter the screen as they did in ProController. If the pilot doesn't switch to standby mode when he exits the runway, he has his hands full trying to manage other things and doesn't need you to add to his "to do" list. Good pilots will do this without being told - inexperienced pilots are trying to keep the plane on the taxiway. If the pilot is taxiing with the transponder in ALT mode, lovely... leave him be.

1. If, in your judgement, a pilot seems new to aviation and/or online flying and you observe the pilot squawking standby prior to issuance of a takeoff clearance, you might want to include a reminder to squawk normal as a part of the takeoff clearance. This can be something simple like, "Runway 9L, cleared for takeoff. Squawk normal on your takeoff roll, sir."

2. If the pilot seems knowledgable and seems to know what he is doing, there isn't any need to mention the transponder while the pilot is on the ground. The assumption is that he will switch it to ALT mode after his takeoff clearance when he is rolling on the runway.

3. If you observe that a pilot has become airborne with the transponder still in standby mode, a polite reminder to squawk normal should occur DURING your transfer of communication to the controller providing departure service, or when instructing the pilot to switch to UNICOM. Something simple like: "Squawk normal, contact Departure on 124.85."

4. An inbound aircraft with a transponder in standby mode is definately the sign of a newbie pilot. Politely ask them to recycle and "squawk normal".

If you are working Tower, use the Tower Display setting so you can check that aircraft have the proper code dialed into the transponder and that thier tags and scratchpads are all set up correctly.

Other than these circumstances, there isn't any need for Tower to mention the status of a transponder.

Approach, Departure and Center Controllers - All airborne aircraft who are observed to be squawking standby shall be asked to "squawk normal".

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THE PHRASE "SQUAWK STANDBY ON THE GROUND" BE INCLUDED IN ANY ATIS.
The Staff of this ARTCC consider this to be the sign of a truly inexperienced and unprofessional controller.