Transponder mode at Moorabbin

[Jman1984]

Hello everyone.

I am a student pilot learning at Moorabbin airport, and about to undertake my GFPT. I have a question for other pilots that operate at Moorabbin regarding transponder settings when departing to the training area. During the Line-Up checklist I switch the transponder to 1200 ALT, and leave it there until I am back on the ground. My instructor has never pointed this out as an incorrect technique, nor has ATC made mention of the ALT setting while entering the circuit pattern from Carrum or GMH.

I guess my question is whether or not other pilots are setting their transponders to standby when they join the circuit?

[cudza101]

Jman,

My belief is that most schools teach their students to select STBY when in the circuit area. The reason being - as I understand it - that it prevents the Radar controller having a clutter of erroneous paints over the circuit area at Moorabbin. The controllers at Moorabbin do not use radar to separate inbound/outbound traffic so the readouts are of little use.

Making sure that STBY is selected wasn't seen as critical when I was learning how to fly but it is an airmanship issue. I'd also be retiscant to select STBY when approaching/inbound to one of the reporting points - obviously because of the high volume of traffic and the possibility that a radar controller could prevent a collision. The ATC guys might be able to tell you whether my reasoning is sensible.

I guess the bottom line is that failing to select STBY isn't going to hurt anyone.

Hope this helps.

[bentleg]

When lining up for the training area - ALT 1200. For circuits leave on STANDBY. When returning from training area set to STANDBY upon leaving the runway.

AIP ENR 1.6 - 7.1.8 and 1.6 - 7.1.9.

[VH-XXX]

Jman, the tower won't mention your transponder as they don't have radar there so they won't know if it's on or off......

[Jman1984]

Thanks everyone for your responses

Quote:
When lining up for the training area - ALT 1200. For circuits leave on STANDBY. When returning from training area set to STANDBY upon leaving the runway.

AIP ENR 1.6 - 7.1.8 and 1.6 - 7.1.9.

That's what I've been doing.

So if the tower does not have secondary radar facilities then why specify transponder to standby while doing circuits?

Also, has Airservices Australia ever organized a tour of Moorabbin tower, or a question session with ATC? It would be a good experience and give me some insight into what is happening on the other side of the mike, so to speak.

[bentleg]

So if the tower does not have secondary radar facilities then why specify transponder to standby while doing circuits?

Good question. It could be OFF and no-one would be any the wiser. One reason could be that if you have a radio failure you might want to squawk 7600. The tower would be told by area people (who have radar) that there is a 7600 squawk in the circuit area. The transponder is seen much sooner going to ALT from Standby. Some towers have radar.

Also, has Airservices Australia ever organized a tour of Moorabbin tower, or a question session with ATC?

ASA has done tours at Bankstown. Bankstown has a radar screen, when I was there, it was not at the main control desk.

[QF2]

As far as I know the controllers in MB Tower have a radar feed, don't think they use it for separation or anything, more just for situational awareness.

Also, if you want to see how things work in the tower, just go to the tower and ask if you can come up, they don't bite! They'll probably give you a couple of pointers as well for when you're out flying that are quite helpful.

[Philthy]

...the tower won't mention your transponder as they don't have radar there so they won't know if it's on or off......

Actually, the Tower has a piece of equipment called TSAD - Tower Situational Awareness Display. This gets a radar feed (don't ask me which ones!) but the equipment, for various reasons, is not certificated for the provision of radar services. It is provided purely for situational awareness in the Tower.

So the Tower could know if your transponder is on or off. There are a number of reasons why the Tower might not mention it though...

[VH-XXX]

If you want a tour, just ring the doorbell and ask if they will let you up. It all helps, especially if you're in your training and you might learn something.

[Spodman]

So if the tower does not have secondary radar facilities then why specify transponder to standby while doing circuits?

Not really for the tower as I understand, just intended to reduce garbling of multiple returns at MB on the Melbourne Radar screen. Put 3 or 4 1200 codes within a mile or so of each other and every so often our system is led to believe that adds up to close enuf to 7500, 7600 or 7700 to put an emergency code, with bells and flashing lights, on our screens, which they have to investigate. I understand the TSAD doesn't alert the tower for emergencies, so part of such is to talk to the tower. A few times a day. Most annoying I'm sure.

has Airservices Australia ever organized a tour of Moorabbin tower

Airservices!!! Organise??????? You have much to learn, Grasshopper... Sounds like you may have been in a group herded through the melbourne big white box at some time. The tower cab is a mite smaller, and not able to accomodate large groups. I'd try it 1 on 1 as others have suggested.

[capt787]

Ring the tower when the weather is bad and there is no traffic in the circuit area. That's how i got to visit bk tower few years ago.