Stansted TMZ. Mode S now Mandatory
Stansted TMZ. Mode S now Mandatory
Please note that the exemptions which allowed Modes A and C transponders in the Stansted TMZ expired on 13 September.
If you do not have a Mode S transponder, and you wish to transit the TMZ, you now have to obtain a clearance from either Farnborough Radar or Essex Radar. (132.8 or 120.625)
North Weald still have a non transponder proceedure. Please phone for details.
If you do not have a Mode S transponder, and you wish to transit the TMZ, you now have to obtain a clearance from either Farnborough Radar or Essex Radar. (132.8 or 120.625)
North Weald still have a non transponder proceedure. Please phone for details.
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Question RE the TMZ. I regularly hear pilots on Farnborough requesting TMZ transit (this is all pre 13th Sept.). Also, whilst flying beneath the TMZ inbound to Stapleford Farnborough have approved the QSY but told me to retain the squawk as I was under the TMZ.
My view was that the TMZ means exactly that, you need a mode S transponder switched on. I didn't think it meant you needed to squawk anything. Am I correct? If so, why has Farnborough asked me to retain the squawk multiple times? This is all pre 13th Sept and happened before and after the Olympics.
My view was that the TMZ means exactly that, you need a mode S transponder switched on. I didn't think it meant you needed to squawk anything. Am I correct? If so, why has Farnborough asked me to retain the squawk multiple times? This is all pre 13th Sept and happened before and after the Olympics.
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If you are in the TMZ (you cannot be under it, as it goes down to the ground!) then you must be squawking...i.e. transponder selected on, altitude selected on, and the appropriate number selected e.g.7000, 0013( the listening squawk), 7010 (North Weald squawk) ...or as requested by Farnborough.
And yes they might ask you to retain the squawk once you leave their frequency...
See here for the AIC.
http://airspacesafety.com/media/527/stn_tmz_aic.pdf
My view was that the TMZ means exactly that, you need a mode S transponder switched on. I didn't think it meant you needed to squawk anything.
Also, whilst flying beneath the TMZ inbound to Stapleford Farnborough have approved the QSY but told me to retain the squawk as I was under the TMZ
And yes they might ask you to retain the squawk once you leave their frequency...
See here for the AIC.
http://airspacesafety.com/media/527/stn_tmz_aic.pdf
Last edited by UV; 17th Sep 2012 at 20:40.
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Thanks for clarifying. Why do they ask me to retain a squawk? I'm no longer in contact with them so isn't 7000 not enough?
Not really supposed to identify who's talking to who.
Not really supposed to identify who's talking to who.
0013 indicates that an aircraft is listening to Stansted or Luton.
7010 indicates that an aircraft is in two way contact with the nearest airfield under the Stansted TMZ e.g. North Weald, Andrewsfield etc.
If there is a potential problem it allows Essex or Farnborough Radar to readily get in contact with the aircraft or airfield that it is talking to.
Last edited by UV; 18th Sep 2012 at 00:31.
Unlike Essex Radar, Farnborough cannot access mode 'S' information, therefore if you go to 7000 they will 'lose' your identity, so in order to continue tracking you after you leave their frequency, they ask you to retain the assigned code.
Last edited by chevvron; 18th Sep 2012 at 03:07.
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Isn't it great how they have tried to mandate carriage of Mode S equipment in aircraft (which we have to pay for) when there isn't even decent coverage at ATC units (which they have to pay for)?
Though I gather the new radar at Oxford has mode S; if so then full marks to them.
Tim
Though I gather the new radar at Oxford has mode S; if so then full marks to them.
Tim
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That's simply bad design.
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Isn't it great how they have tried to mandate carriage of Mode S equipment in aircraft (which we have to pay for) when there isn't even decent coverage at ATC units (which they have to pay for)?
Radars at airports are paid for by the airport operator; mode 'S' facilities are expensive in that the SSR comes from NATS En-Route Ltd and is overlaid on the airport radar, the airport operator then having to pay NATS for the data and pay BT for the telephone line rental to receive the data and BT's charges alone ain't cheap.
As regards using unique A/C codes to identify who is actually talking to a particular aircraft, this has been used for at least 40 years not 20; LonMil and probably other Military ATCRUs certainly used it in the early '70s, the system at LonMil as far as I can recall was the first two digits indicated the unit, the third the console number and the fourth was unique to the aircraft. (may be wrong but you get my drift)
As regards using unique A/C codes to identify who is actually talking to a particular aircraft, this has been used for at least 40 years not 20; LonMil and probably other Military ATCRUs certainly used it in the early '70s, the system at LonMil as far as I can recall was the first two digits indicated the unit, the third the console number and the fourth was unique to the aircraft. (may be wrong but you get my drift)
Last edited by chevvron; 19th Sep 2012 at 01:09.
Hm I was at Lindholme (on the civil consoles) for much of 1973, and as far as I recall, having only passive decoding, they only assigned the first two digits, but this could have changed after I left. I remember each miltary 'suite' had controller, tracker (operating the 'store dots') and height finder operator whereas the civl 'suites' had controller, tracker and an assistant on an edge lit perspex board on which flight data was written who ran over to the height finder if needed!
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Actually for the last 20 years it has been a very effective way of identifying who is talking to who in a non sectorised environment. Simple and effective is pretty good design.
Last edited by soaringhigh650; 20th Sep 2012 at 17:11.
Avoid imitations
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Because UK Class G airspace is the open FIR and in most of it it's not mandatory to carry a radio or a transponder. It could be argued that we have enough airspace restrictions already, in a relatively small and shrinking "free" environment.
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You don't need to carry a radio or transponder even if you have sectorized.
It just means ATC is organized better, so when you want to use the radio in "the open FIR" you know who to call, rather than 7 to choose from.
It just means ATC is organized better, so when you want to use the radio in "the open FIR" you know who to call, rather than 7 to choose from.
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Radars at airports are paid for by the airport operator; mode 'S' facilities are expensive in that the SSR comes from NATS En-Route Ltd and is overlaid on the airport radar, the airport operator then having to pay NATS for the data and pay BT for the telephone line rental to receive the data and BT's charges alone ain't cheap.
Your airport operator must be rich then!!
