Last weekend's successful test of a single transponder code for flight training operations at some some CZs has paid off. The test, in which pilots in closed-traffic flight training operations at towered airports used the transponder code "1-2-3-4" for positive aircraft identification, proved itself so well that the FAA, late Wednesday, made the switch a permanent part of the NYC and DC ADIZ NOTAMs. A number of aviation associations urged the FAA and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to make the change after the successful test period.

FDC NOTAMs 3/2762 and 3/2763, effective at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2003, state that pilots conducting VFR traffic pattern operations (not including practice instrument approaches) at towered airports must make their request for closed pattern work prior to taxiing, or before entering the pattern, then continuously operate their transponder on code "1-2-3-4" when assigned by ATC.

Pilots who remain exclusively within the airport VFR traffic pattern of the same airport do not have to file a flight plan. Otherwise, pilots must file a flight plan with AFSS and receive a discrete transponder code from ATC before leaving the pattern.

EAA told ANN that the news was "a reasonable first step."

"This will reduce a significant barrier to flight training operations within the ADIZ areas," said EAA Vice President of Government Relations Earl Lawrence.

"We now urge FAA and TSA to prudently complete similar tests at the 6 to 8 non-towered airports as previously announced."

3/2762.. PART 1 OF 2 SPECIAL NOTICE... VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OPERATIONS AT CERTAIN AIRPORTS. EFFECTIVE 0304111000 UTC (APRIL 11, AT 0600 LOCAL) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS, AND 91.139, EMERGENCY AIR TRAFFIC RULES. THIS NOTICE AMENDS THE REQUIREMENTS/PROCEDURES DETAILED IN FDC NOTAM 3/2126 FOR THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (ADIZ)(EXCLUDING THOSE AIRPORTS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC, METROPOLITAN AREA FLIGHT RESTRICTED ZONE); AND FDC NOTAM 3/2127 FOR THE NEW YORK CITY, NY ADIZ. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT. A. PILOTS CONDUCTING VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OPERATIONS (NOT INCLUDING PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES) AT AN AIRPORT WITH AN OPERATIONAL AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER WITHIN THE ADIZ SHALL: 1. MAKE THEIR REQUEST FOR CLOSED PATTERN WORK PRIOR TO TAXIING, OR PRIOR TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ENTRY; 2. REMAIN IN TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE TOWER; 3. CONTINUOUSLY OPERATE THEIR AIRCRAFT TRANSPONDER O N CODE 1234 WHEN ASSIGNED BY ATC. END PART 1 OF 2 WIE UNTIL UFN PART 2 OF 2 SPECIAL NOTICE... B. PRIOR TO EXITING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN OR CONDUCTING ANY OTHER FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE ADIZ, PILOTS SHALL: 1. FILE A FLIGHT PLAN WITH AN AFSS; 2. OBTAIN AND CONTINUOUSLY TRANSMIT AN ATC ASSIGNED DISCRETE TRANSPONDER CODE; 3. ESTABLISH TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC. C. DOD AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN THE VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OF A MILITARY AIRPORT MAY BE ASSIGNED A DISCRETE CODE OTHER THAN 1234. D. FOR PILOTS OPERATING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH A, ABOVE, A FLIGHT PLAN IS NOT REQUIRED SO LONG AS THE AIRCRAFT REMAINS EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE AIRPORT VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OF THE SAME AIRPORT. E. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE PROCEDURES CAN EXPECT TO BE INTERCEPTED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL OR DOD. END PART 2 OF 2 WIE UNTIL UFN

3/2763.. PART 1 OF 2 SPECIAL NOTICE... VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OPERATIONS AT CERTAIN AIRPORTS. EFFECTIVE 0304111000 UTC (APRIL 11, AT 0600 LOCAL) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS, AND 91.139, EMERGENCY AIR TRAFFIC RULES. THIS NOTICE AMENDS THE REQUIREMENTS/PROCEDURES DETAILED IN FDC NOTAM 3/2126 FOR THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (ADIZ)(EXCLUDING THOSE AIRPORTS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC, METROPOLITAN AREA FLIGHT RESTRICTED ZONE); AND FDC NOTAM 3/2127 FOR THE NEW YORK CITY, NY ADIZ. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT. A. PILOTS CONDUCTING VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OPERATIONS (NOT INCLUDING PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES) AT AN AIRPORT WITH AN OPERATIONAL AIRPORT TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER WITHIN THE ADIZ SHALL: 1. MAKE THEIR REQUEST FOR CLOSED PATTERN WORK PRIOR TO TAXIING, OR PRIOR TO TRAFFIC PATTERN ENTRY; 2. REMAIN IN TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE TOWER; 3. CONTINUOUSLY OPERATE THEIR AIRCRAFT TRANSPONDER O N CODE 1234 WHEN ASSIGNED BY ATC. END PART 1 OF 2 WIE UNTIL UFN PART 2 OF 2 SPECIAL NOTICE... B. PRIOR TO EXITING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN OR CONDUCTING ANY OTHER FLIGHT OPERATIONS WITHIN THE ADIZ, PILOTS SHALL: 1. FILE A FLIGHT PLAN WITH AN AFSS; 2. OBTAIN AND CONTINUOUSLY TRANSMIT AN ATC ASSIGNED DISCRETE TRANSPONDER CODE; 3. ESTABLISH TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC. C. DOD AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN THE VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OF A MILITARY AIRPORT MAY BE ASSIGNED A DISCRETE CODE OTHER THAN 1234. D. FOR PILOTS OPERATING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH A, ABOVE, A FLIGHT PLAN IS NOT REQUIRED SO LONG AS THE AIRCRAFT REMAINS EXCLUSIVELY WITHIN THE AIRPORT VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN OF THE SAME AIRPORT. E. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE ABOVE PROCEDURES CAN EXPECT TO BE INTERCEPTED BY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL OR DOD. END PART 2 OF 2 WIE UNTIL UFN

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.eaa.org, www.aopa.org