FAA Ground School Practice Test

What FVR code should a pilot squawk if flying a transponder-equipped aircraft without any specific authorization?

1. 7500

2. 1200

3. 7600

4. 7700

The correct answer is: 1200

In aviation, transponders serve as an essential tool for communication and identification in the airspace. The appropriate code to use when a pilot is flying a transponder-equipped aircraft without any specific authorization is 1200. This code signifies that the aircraft is operating under VFR (Visual Flight Rules), indicating that the pilot is not under air traffic control but is still making their presence known to radar services. When a pilot squawks 1200, it allows air traffic control to identify the aircraft as VFR and helps ensure the safety of all air traffic in the vicinity by providing the flight's position on radar. This code is standard for flights that are maneuvering outside controlled airspace and do not require any communication with ATC, thereby aligning with regulations while ensuring the flight remains visible to other aircraft and control facilities. Understanding the purpose of the other codes: 7500 indicates a hijacking, 7600 signals loss of communication, and 7700 is used to indicate an emergency, highlighting that those codes are reserved for specific and serious situations. Thus, squawking 1200 is the correct action for a pilot flying under VFR without specific authorization.