phraseology squawk
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: On the flight deck of course !!
phraseology squawk
Why does everybody answer "Ident you have" when the air traffic controler request "squawk ident (please)" ?? 
The correct phraseology is just "Ident" and that's it !!!
The correct phraseology is just "Ident" and that's it !!!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: N33 24.7 E36 30.8 E 36 30.8
Hi...that's the first time i heard this term beign used...usually,the guys say.....identing,or identing followed by the code..and i've been flying in the middle east,north africa,europe for the last 20 years
could you tell me which region/airline..it is used in?
could you tell me which region/airline..it is used in?
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 9
From: Blighty
I've always thought that no response was required, except for pushing the ident button. If you've heard the request, the controller will have his reply when he sees an ident. That's all I've done for about 25 years and it's never been questioned by a controller. And it keeps the airwaves quieter.
BTW. Do you know whay a squawk is called a squawk? Well, it's because during WW2, the first transponders were a system called IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) and like many pieces of classified equipment, it was given a code name. IFF's was parrot. So when you parrot was interrogated, it gave out a squawk!
BTW. Do you know whay a squawk is called a squawk? Well, it's because during WW2, the first transponders were a system called IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) and like many pieces of classified equipment, it was given a code name. IFF's was parrot. So when you parrot was interrogated, it gave out a squawk!
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 3,985
Likes: 568
From: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
I agree, Dan, nothing need be said. I was also taught when a new squawk code was given, simply enter it in the box correctly. If it is wrong the ATCO will tell you. Let the transponder do the talking--it is called SQUAWK for a reason.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Surely as an instruction from an ATC unit, it should be read back to the station to confirm the correct squawk. I understand your intentions/validity of not replying but the Iran Air incident is a case in point where the correct squawk was vitally important.
As to the correct response to the call, I think it's splitting hairs. There should be a correct phraseology for this but I believe "Ident(ing) XXXX", "Squawk XXXX" even "XXXX Coming Down" seem to be internationally recognised by the ATC stations I have spoken to.
As to the correct response to the call, I think it's splitting hairs. There should be a correct phraseology for this but I believe "Ident(ing) XXXX", "Squawk XXXX" even "XXXX Coming Down" seem to be internationally recognised by the ATC stations I have spoken to.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
Well, I suppose that's yet another leftover directive that predates concern over congested airwaves...
Thirty-something years back I was taught that an "Ident" request need only be followed by pushing the button. I've followed that since, nad have only been asked for a verbal response a handful of times.
It really is silly... If you hear and comply, the controller will see the result before you can reply verbally. If it doesn't work, or you didn't hear, another verbal exchange will be required regardless.
Thirty-something years back I was taught that an "Ident" request need only be followed by pushing the button. I've followed that since, nad have only been asked for a verbal response a handful of times.
It really is silly... If you hear and comply, the controller will see the result before you can reply verbally. If it doesn't work, or you didn't hear, another verbal exchange will be required regardless.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: uk
As mentioned here already, crews often (incorrectly) squawk ident wihout being asked.
We need to readback the squawk ident instruction so that the ATCO can confirm that the correct aircraft has done so - instances of aircraft squawking within being asked or taking instructions intended for others are abound, as I'm sure we recognise.
If an aircraft is required to ident at all, it is because the ATCO wishes to identify an aircraft unambiguously - they can't do that without a readback.
Hence CAP413, regardless of what we were 'taught'.
I think 'ident you have' is lazy phraseology, but I don't think it's the end of civilisation!
Now "ready on reaching", that's another story.....
We need to readback the squawk ident instruction so that the ATCO can confirm that the correct aircraft has done so - instances of aircraft squawking within being asked or taking instructions intended for others are abound, as I'm sure we recognise.
If an aircraft is required to ident at all, it is because the ATCO wishes to identify an aircraft unambiguously - they can't do that without a readback.
Hence CAP413, regardless of what we were 'taught'.
I think 'ident you have' is lazy phraseology, but I don't think it's the end of civilisation!
Now "ready on reaching", that's another story.....
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Co Mayo
If you read back a request to ident and the controller sees nothing on his screen he can reasonably assume that the aircraft has a faulty transponder.
If you do not read back a request to ident and the controller sees nothing on his screen then a whole world of possibilities opens up, from comms failure to a proper nasty, resulting in a lot more comms traffic while he tries to find out.
I was always taught to read back an ident request... and it only occupies the frequency for about 2 seconds.
WD
If you do not read back a request to ident and the controller sees nothing on his screen then a whole world of possibilities opens up, from comms failure to a proper nasty, resulting in a lot more comms traffic while he tries to find out.
I was always taught to read back an ident request... and it only occupies the frequency for about 2 seconds.
WD