Squawk 1200 when you cancel IFR?

[Dave T]

Question for the ATC guys.

I know some people that do this whenever they cancel IFR.
I havn't heard of it as an actual rule so curious what you prefer. I know that when going into an FSS that has a RADAR feed it will deffinately make things easier for them to keep your old code. Wondering if ATC cares. I think even though they aren't controlling you anymore it would be nice to keep the tag on you ect because often once you cancel they're launching someone else right away.

Just wondering if you guys have a preference or if there is an actual rule for this?

[ywgatc]

There is no direction either way that I'm aware of, however, personal preference, I like it when you keep your old code on. I know you've cancelled, and I'm not providing IFR separation any more, however when there are a bunch of other 1200 tags around that airport, I'm going to pass relevant traffic information to any other IFR traffic inbound or outbound. It helps to be able to say to that a/c that it's a metro/saab/jetstream etc. at their 2 o'clock for 1 mile descending out of 3000', as opposed to type unknown and altitude "unverified". That would only be the case if there were a bunch of other 1200 codes in the vicinity and i've been busy elsewhere and haven't followed your target for the last few minutes though. If it's not that busy, I obviously will know what that 1 target to the south-east is you. But if there are 3.....not necessarily. Anyways, in a nutshell I like it when you leave it on.

When leaving controlled airspace though, I also prefer that you do switch to a 1200 code if you cancel. Just personal preference, but otherwise i have a full data tag on your airplane for 15-20 minutes when you've already cancelled. Not a big deal either way though. I'm sure no-one would really care (myself included) if you leave your old code on when leaving controlled airspace.

[NJ]

Up here into ZF, keep your code. But everyone knows that already.

[tofo]

shut the thing off the only thing its good for is TC tapes at a hearing

[Conquest Driver]

shut the thing off the only thing its good for is TC tapes at a hearing

Just a note for you guys in "the middle of nowhere". There are more and more aircraft out there with TCAS or "TCAS Lite". If you've got your trnasponder on, I can see you. If you've got your transponder on mode C, I can see you and avoid you. This is a good thing.

“TWA 2341, for noise abatement turn right 45 degrees.”

“Center, we’re at 35,000 feet. How much noise can we make up here?”

“Sir, have you ever heard the noise a 747 makes when it hits a 727?”

[GilletteNorth]

Tofo:

shut the thing off the only thing its good for is TC tapes at a hearing

That is just wrong. I have worked at sites that only had DF and now working at a site that has NARDs is a whole new world. I am able to positively identify and pass traffic to concerned aircraft in a much safer manner when pilots use their transponders than doing it solely on radio position reports.

[V1 Rotate]

shut the thing off the only thing its good for is TC tapes at a hearing

It's unfortunate that along with the benefits of free speech also comes the downside of having fucking idiots like tofo being able to post their drivel on a regular basis...

Well said. But then again the rest of us can be thankful that we aren't morons.

[NewtonCentre]

Keep your code please. The only time that I may ask a pilot to switch to 1200 is if they're near the border. If an aircraft is landing at an airport near the US border, and they've cancelled, it's an easy way for our cousins down south to know that it's a VFR aircraft approaching the border. Otherwise I feel like I should call them and tell them who is approaching the border and that it's a VFR aircraft so they don't start wondering.

Other than that, please keep your code.

[Doc]

I always leave it on the assigned IFR code. That way, my position and altitude have already been verified, and ATC can hand me off as traffic to other IFR traffic. I notice in the States though, I am almost always asked to squawk VFR (1200) when I cancel.

[maverick1]

keep the code.