Heathrow has installed an A-SMGCS - Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System - the first in the world. Without going into too much technical detail, A-SMGCS is a surface movement radar system that displays aircraft callsigns and allocated stand numbers on the ground radar screen. When a pilot switches on the mode S transponder with the mode A code selected, the mode A code is transmitted via mode S, and a label is generated which is derived from the code/callsign database. If the transponder is switched off the label on the display will be lost. If A0000, A2000 or standby is selected, the
A-SMGCS will attempt to display the aircraft registration derived from the system database.
Another feature of the equipment is the RIMCAS - Runway Incursion Monitoring and Collision Avoidance System. This provides audible and visual warnings in the event of runway incursions.
The message is therefore, leave the transponder on after landing until parked on the stand, and also select the transponder on with the allocated code during pushback. Hopefully the service pilots receive from Air and GMc in the dark and in LVPs will improve markedly.