Emergency codes The first emergency code that you may have become familiar with is Squawk 7500. This code is used to indicate that the aircraft has been hijacked, and therefore requires urgent emergency support from both security services and air traffic control.
The squawk code 7500 is an emergency code used by pilots to inform ATC of a plane hijacking taking place, which means that the pilots have either been forced to change course or are no longer in control of the aircraft.
Aircraft in an emergency, who are not receiving an air traffic service should set the transponder to EMERGENCY (Mode 3A Code 7700) as part of their initial actions. "A pilot may select Mode 3A Code 7700 whenever he has specific reason to believe that this would be the best course of action" [ ICAO Doc 8168 Vol 1.]
Squawking 7700 in an emergency
The most well know of these is the code 7700. This is used to indicate an emergency of any kind. A pilot will enter this when in an emergency situation - either instructed by ATC after declaring an emergency or without communication if there is no time.
Code 7600 is the code for a loss of radio. If a pilot's radio goes out during a fight, they can enter 7600 into the transponder. Then they should proceed to their intended airport following a standard landing plan. Pilots should be extra careful and on alert for other aircraft around them in the sky.
Code 7400 may be displayed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) when the control link between the aircraft and the pilot is lost. Lost link procedures are programmed into the flight management system and associated with the flight plan being flown.
Three transponder codes are reserved for unusual/emergency situations: - 7700 for general emergencies. - 7600 for loss of communication (radio failure). - 7500 for hijacking or other unlawful interference.
0000 — A generic code that is not assigned and should not be used. 1200 — VFR aircraft. The default code for all flights–if you aren't asked to set anything else, you should set 1200. 7500 — Hijacking. 7600 — Voice radio failure.
Series 20 — Code 2000 is to recognize an aircraft that has not received instructions from the air traffic control units to operate the transponder.
Some squawk codes are reserved, such as 7700 (emergency), 7600 (communication failure), 7500 (hijacking), 1202 (glider), 1200 (VFR), etc. One of these, 7777, is apparently used for "military interception." What does this mean in the United States?
7000. ICAO. VFR standard squawk code when no other code has been assigned. EASA countries. Code that pilot shall set when not receiving air traffic services, unless otherwise prescribed by the competent authority.
7777 is the transponder code for fighter jets carrying out an “active air defense mission”, i.e. an emergency interception.
For example, "1200" in the USA means that the flight is flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and is not typically in direct contact with ATC. "1200" is a shared code so you may see many aircraft transmitting it at the same time in a given area.
"Squawk 1000" is a code assigned by air traffic control to indicate that an aircraft is experiencing an emergency.
7500 is a harrowing thriller that evokes visceral memories of September 11, 2001. Islamic terrorists hijack a German airplane bound for Paris. The entire film takes place inside the cockpit in real time. There is no soundtrack or accompanying score.
A squawk of 4000 observed on radar by a controller usually meant that the aircraft operating in Special Use Airspace, exceeding 250 knots below 10,000 feet and/or rapidly maneuvering. It also normally means that they are not talking to an ATC facility.
Visual flight rules (VFR) at or below 12,500 feet above sea level (ASL): Mode A, Code 1200, plus Mode C. VFR above 12,500 feet ASL: Mode A, Code 1400, plus Mode C.
Code 4000 should be assigned when aircraft are operating on a flight plan specifying frequent or rapid changes in assigned altitude in more than one stratum or other category of flight not compatible with a discrete code assignment.
2200. VFR - Operating within a controlled aerodrome circuit. 5000-5777. IFR - Domestic (automated by position)
“Squawk 1234” means to just dial 1234 into your transponder. The ATC radar will show the controller that number in the tag associated with your plane. If the tell you, “squawk 1244 and ident”, you should put in the code first, and then press and release the Ident (or ID) button on the transponder.
Therefore squawking anything other than 2200 may mean the controller can't see your callsign, but 2200 guarantees that he can. Hopefully that explains why it's an important courtesy to the next controller to squawk 2200 when making any prolonged flight in controlled airspace.
There are 3 aircraft emergency squawk codes that every pilot needs to know. They are 7500, 7600, and 7700. It's not only important to know what the codes are used for, but also how to avoid switching to these codes in non-emergency situations to avoid setting off alarms in ATC facilities.
You might have noticed on our squawk box that the number 50 isn't available, that's because 5050 is the designated frequency monitoring code for #Southend.. A #pilot may listen to our #frequency, without communicating directly.