MODE S in Holland and Belgium
Can anyone advise current Mode S situation for Holland and Belgium and in particualr has anyone flown there using MODE C in the last 2 weeks ?
Junes edition of AOPA states that “As from April 8th 2008, all motor powered aircraft flying in the Netherlands had to be equipped with a mode-S transponder which should be switched on above 1200 feet. Ary Stiger of AOPA Netherlands warns that traffic from abroad must indicate /S in the “equipment” box in the flight plan, otherwise the flight plan will not be approved. Penalties for failure to use mode-S will be introduced from July”.
However a call to one Dutch airfield brought the reply " if you do not have Mode S then you must remain below 1200ft and use class G airspace. Other than that, no problem?
A call to another stated " without Mode S fitted and active there will be no flight plan approved and no entry into Dutch Airspace.
Our CAA state the following :
The Netherlands
A copy of the Dutch AIC B 04/04 dated 1 April 2004 is available on the EUROCONTROL website but the Dutch regulator has recently stated the following [rephrased by CAA to aid clarity]:
A (Mode S) SSR-transponder is mandatory for all aeroplanes and helicopters for IFR flight.
For VFR-flights with aeroplanes (incl microlights and TMG) and helicopters an SSR-transponder is mandatory in all classes of airspace except below 1200 ft AMSL in class G, outside the airspace above the North Sea.
From March 31, 2008 the same requirement, for Mode S transponders instead of Mode A/C transponders, will be in force for all aircraft (incl balloons, sailplanes, hanggliders etc), except in Transponder Free Zones which only will be developed for areas where ACAS-aircraft or military fighters are not active.
Currently, there is also a Transponder Mandatory Zone around Eindhoven Airport where a transponder is mandatory for all aircraft. Additionally, there are two Caution Areas where all VFR flights are strongly advised to fly only with an operational transponder and (though it is only class E airspace) are required to have 2-way radio contact if they decide to fly in that airspace without a transponder.
Can ANYONE shed any light please ? Do the authorities actually know what is happening .....sems complete confusion since 31st March 2008 ?