Can you enter a Class B without a transponder?

However, if you wish to operate in class A, B, or C airspace, or at an altitude of over 10,000' MSL, or within a 30 nautical mile radius of the primary airport in class B airspace, you will need a transponder and altitude encoder (commonly referred to as mode C).



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You will need at least a radio and a transponder to get flight following. The requirement for a radio is self-evident. The transponder isn't an absolute, cast-in-stone requirement, but in most cases ATC will not give you flight following if you don't have a transponder.

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If your aircraft was certificated with an operative engine driven electrical system, you are allowed to fly under a Class C shelf without an operative transponder. See §91.215(b)(4). outside of the Class B and C airspace.

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Class Bravo airspace (Class B) is that airspace surrounding the nation's busiest airports. Class B airspace supports both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations within.

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VFR aircraft operating in proximity to Class B airspace are cautioned against operating too closely to the boundaries, especially where the floor of the Class B airspace is 3,000 feet or less above the surface or where VFR cruise altitudes are at or near the floor of higher levels.

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Such operations shall comply with paragraph (a) of this section. (c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

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When an aircraft is not equipped with a transponder, what requirement must be met before ATC will authorize a flight within Class B airspace? A request for the proposed flight must be made to ATC at least 1 hour before the flight.

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Transponder
  • Transponder A: sends back a transponder code to ATC.
  • Transponder C: sends a transponder code plus altitude information to ATC.
  • Transponder S: sends a transponder code plus altitude information to ATC, and receives and reports information to other transponders of the same type.


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The first of these is the code 7500, which signals “unlawful interference,” more commonly referred to as hijacking. This is a situation where squawking is particularly useful, as it allows the pilots to contact ATC discreetly.

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