Mode S Transponders
I’d be interested to hear the ATC view of mode S transponders.
I’m a PPL and my flying is a mixture of VFR and IFR in a single engine Cessna. My transponder has mode A and C, in common with most other light aircraft. It never seems to be any sort of a problem to ATC, whether inside or outside of controlled airspace.
From 2003, as I understand it, all aircraft flying IFR inside controlled airspace will need Mode S. This will cost me around £5000 or so and I wonder what benefit it will bring. As you can imagine, light aircraft owners are feeling a bit sensitive, after having to shell out for 8.33kHz spacing radios, and nav sets with FM immunity.
Will you guys use the extra Mode S information? Will you even be able to display it on your screens? Will it help, for example, to get direct routings (thus saving time and money), or indeed to get an ad hoc transit clearance through the class D CTAs? Will it help reduce unnecessary TCAS alerts?
It is planned to get even worse in 2008, when all aircraft (actually including gliders, parascenders and so on) will need Mode S, outside as well as inside CAS, VFR as well as IFR. Won’t there be so many returns on your screens that you won’t see the wood for the trees. Especially for ATCOs working the TMAs, where many light aircraft fly underneath CAS, many not squawking at all. Does this mean you will have to filter out returns you are not interested in? (The French civilian ATC system filters out military transponder returns, I believe). If so, where is the benefit?
By the way, I’ve no axe to grind, or political point to make. I don’t even want to stand in the way of progress if there is a benefit.
Regards.