VWGhiaBob
Line Up and Wait
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- Mar 17, 2013
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VWGhiaBob
Some of you may recall I've had numerous issues with planes at my FBO. Not a week goes by without me grounding a plane.
This week...once again...I rented a plane with a bad transponder and flew it in LA where Mode C is required. This is NOT the same plane that had a bad transponder two weeks ago (in another post).
This time, I noticed the transponder had been squawked 2 times in the past 2 weeks. However, both times, it was cleared by the FBO's maintenance. I took it up the day before my cross country to have the tower verify it...all was fine.
Here's my question: Yesterday in my cross country, the transponder started acting up 1/2 way through the flight (Flight Following told me...altimeter reading was on and off, and the plane was transmitting multiple codes). However, near the end of the flight, it cleared up again. On the way home, the issues got worse. I had to manually report my position and altitude to Flight Following for much of the trip...and then it started working again.
As I was handed off to each ATC Center, they each knew of my transponder issue before I told them...obviously, they were telling each other.
So my question is, Should I report this on the ASRS system? Technically, I flew into airspace requiring a Mode C with a transponder that was working at the time of takeoff, but had known potential issues. Technically, should I have stayed on the ground 75 miles from home?
I don't want to create a lot of paperwork, but I also don't want to get in trouble for my FBO's poor maintenance practices.
Thanks for your opinions and advice!
This week...once again...I rented a plane with a bad transponder and flew it in LA where Mode C is required. This is NOT the same plane that had a bad transponder two weeks ago (in another post).
This time, I noticed the transponder had been squawked 2 times in the past 2 weeks. However, both times, it was cleared by the FBO's maintenance. I took it up the day before my cross country to have the tower verify it...all was fine.
Here's my question: Yesterday in my cross country, the transponder started acting up 1/2 way through the flight (Flight Following told me...altimeter reading was on and off, and the plane was transmitting multiple codes). However, near the end of the flight, it cleared up again. On the way home, the issues got worse. I had to manually report my position and altitude to Flight Following for much of the trip...and then it started working again.
As I was handed off to each ATC Center, they each knew of my transponder issue before I told them...obviously, they were telling each other.
So my question is, Should I report this on the ASRS system? Technically, I flew into airspace requiring a Mode C with a transponder that was working at the time of takeoff, but had known potential issues. Technically, should I have stayed on the ground 75 miles from home?
I don't want to create a lot of paperwork, but I also don't want to get in trouble for my FBO's poor maintenance practices.
Thanks for your opinions and advice!
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