Mode C

[maximus]

Can you operate a glider above 10,000 without a transponder? I am prety sure you can but can't find it in the FARs

Full of questions lately
Max

 

[gismo]

Can you operate a glider above 10,000 without a transponder? I am prety sure you can but can't find it in the FARs

Full of questions lately
Max

I'm pretty sure it's in 91.215.

For the basics, you can operate a glider above 10,000 MSL outside (but not above) Class A,B,C.

 

[gismo]

Here it is:


91.215

(b) All airspace. Unless otherwise authorized or directed by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft in the airspace described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section, unless that aircraft is equipped with an operable coded radar beacon transponder having either Mode 3/A 4096 code capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC, or a Mode S capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC and intermode and Mode S interrogations in accordance with the applicable provisions specified in TSO C–112, and that aircraft is equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having a Mode C capability that automatically replies to Mode C interrogations by transmitting pressure altitude information in 100-foot increments. This requirement applies—

(1) All aircraft. In Class A, Class B, and Class C airspace areas;

(2) All aircraft. In all airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL;

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon or glider may conduct operations in the airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part provided such operations are conducted—

(i) Outside any Class A, Class B, or Class C airspace area; and

(ii) Below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000 feet MSL, whichever is lower; and

(4) All aircraft in all airspace above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport upward to 10,000 feet MSL; and

(5) All aircraft except any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon, or glider—

(i) In all airspace of the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia at and above 10,000 feet MSL, excluding the airspace at and below 2,500 feet above the surface; and

(ii) In the airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL within a 10-nautical-mile radius of any airport listed in appendix D, section 2 of this part, excluding the airspace below 1,200 feet outside of the lateral boundaries of the surface area of the airspace designated for that airport.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Thats interesting a buddy called last nite to share his latest flying stories and said he was just at the top of CCA talking to departure, on an ifr FP, and zinged past a glider.

Just a reminder that the system, when used as it was intended, does work.
Start thinking atc is your eyeballs and its going to hurt someone.

We used to look down on airliners approaching and departing out of El Paso CCA when I learned to fly them. (we were very careful to avoid their known flight paths and always notified atc of our activity)

 

[Carol]

Thats interesting a buddy called last nite to share his latest flying stories and said he was just at the top of CCA talking to departure, on an ifr FP, and zinged past a glider.

Just a reminder that the system, when used as it was intended, does work.
Start thinking atc is your eyeballs and its going to hurt someone.

We used to look down on airliners approaching and departing out of El Paso CCA when I learned to fly them. (we were very careful to avoid their known flight paths and always notified atc of our activity)

One of the local glider pilots got approval for a "wave window" to operate in Class A airspace. He monitored the frequency. ATC worked well with him. He was going after some altitude record.