GA Pilots got a mode C transponder question?

Question

to fly from VNW to 89D at 7500 feet is a mode C transponder reguired under VFR flight conditions

Answer 1

I'm not exactly sure where 89D is, and Airnav.com doesn't seem to know it either, but as long as you stay below 10000' MSL, out of Class C, and more than 30NM from Class B airports, you are not required to have a mode C transponder.

But because you will be more or less invisible to ATC and they will have no idea who that random blip on their screen is, and they will not be able to see your altitude, you absolutely MUST fly appropriate VFR cruising altitudes.  That is the only way to maintain separation from other traffic when nobody can see you.

Answer 2

Absolutely.  I can't remember the exact wording but, yes, it is required.

You might be able to get a one time waiver, something to check out if you are just going one way.

Answer 3

Nope, there are no airspace concerns on that route as long as you don't go too far North and end up in Toledo's airspace.  As others have pointed out, you just have to stay below 10,000 feet on this route!

Answer 4

Jason has a pretty good rundown on it. I think some people are confused with his wording though.

He was saying you have to remain below 10k and in addition to that avoid class C airspace. He was not saying that what is above 10k is class C airspace.

Answer 5

No it's not.

If your airplane is not equipped with a mode c transponder, you do not have to use it for that route unless you fly over/through class charlie airspace or within 30nm of a class bravo airport.

To summarize, you need a mode-c transponder in the following situations:

Within class A, B and C airspace, over Class C airspace, within 30nm of the primary airport of a class B airspace.

Over 10 000 feet MSL (excluding bellow 2,500 feet AGL).

Basically though, if you have a transponder installed it must be functional and you have to use it. If you do not have one installed you do not

Answer 6

91.215   ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use.

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(a) All airspace: U.S.-registered civil aircraft. For operations not conducted under part 121 or 135 of this chapter, ATC transponder equipment installed must meet the performance and environmental requirements of any class of TSO-C74b (Mode A) or any class of TSO-C74c (Mode A with altitude reporting capability) as appropriate, or the appropriate class of TSO-C112 (Mode S).

(b) All airspace. Unless otherwise authorized or directed by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft in the airspace described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section, unless that aircraft is equipped with an operable coded radar beacon transponder having either Mode 3/A 4096 code capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC, or a Mode S capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC and intermode and Mode S interrogations in accordance with the applicable provisions specified in TSO C–112, and that aircraft is equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having a Mode C capability that automatically replies to Mode C interrogations by transmitting pressure altitude information in 100-foot increments. This requirement applies—

(1) All aircraft. In Class A, Class B, and Class C airspace areas;

(2) All aircraft. In all airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL;

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon or glider may conduct operations in the airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part provided such operations are conducted—

(i) Outside any Class A, Class B, or Class C airspace area; and

(ii) Below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000 feet MSL, whichever is lower; and

(4) All aircraft in all airspace above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport upward to 10,000 feet MSL; and

(5) All aircraft except any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon, or glider—

(i) In all airspace of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia at and above 10,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace at and below 2,500 feet above the surface; and

(ii) In the airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL within a 10-nautical-mile radius of any airport listed in appendix D, section 2 of this part, excluding the airspace below 1,200 feet outside of the lateral boundaries of the surface area of the airspace designated for that airport.

(c) Transponder-on operation. While in the airspace as specified in paragraph (b) of this section or in all controlled airspace, each person operating an aircraft equipped with an operable ATC transponder maintained in accordance with §91.413 of this part shall operate the transponder, including Mode C equipment if installed, and shall reply on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC.

(d) ATC authorized deviations. Requests for ATC authorized deviations must be made to the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the concerned airspace within the time periods specified as follows:

(1) For operation of an aircraft with an operating transponder but without operating automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having a Mode C capability, the request may be made at any time.

(2) For operation of an aircraft with an inoperative transponder to the airport of ultimate destination, including any intermediate stops, or to proceed to a place where suitable repairs can be made or both, the request may be made at any time.

(3) For operation of an aircraft that is not equipped with a transponder, the request must be made at least one hour before the proposed operation.