Deeday, I'd be tempted to ask your instructor what his idea of how a transponder works was based on. Doesn't sound like it was based on a real working knowledge.
As a TCAS user in Class G airspace, please use mode C whenever your aircraft has it fitted. We can use TCAS to to know where you are and we can often adjust our flightpath well before either of us gains visual contact; to make life safer for both of us.
Btw, our transponder has a readout of the altitude being sent. I use that to crosscheck against QNH set and altitude; so I know that it is correct.
Last edited by ShyTorque; 30th Jan 2011 at 17:47.