FAA Ground School Practice Test

When making routine transponder code changes, which codes should pilots aim to avoid selecting inadvertently?

1. 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800

2. 7500, 7600, 7700

3. 8500, 8600, 8700

4. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000

The correct answer is: 7500, 7600, 7700

When making routine transponder code changes, it is important for pilots to avoid inadvertently selecting certain codes that have specific meanings associated with them. The codes 7500, 7600, and 7700 are reserved for emergency situations. - Code 7500 is used to signify a hijacking. - Code 7600 indicates a loss of communication. - Code 7700 is used to declare an emergency. Selecting any of these codes unintentionally could lead to serious misunderstandings with air traffic control and potentially trigger unnecessary emergency responses. This highlights the importance of acute awareness when inputting transponder codes, ensuring pilots select codes that have no special connotations unless they are indeed encountering relevant situations. Other codes listed in the options are generally not associated with emergency situations and are more commonly used for standard VFR flight operations or are not assigned any special significance. This makes them less critical in terms of the necessity for caution during routine changes. Therefore, the focus on avoiding the emergency codes is crucial for maintaining clarity and safety in communication with ATC.