ATC Radar and Transponder Procedures

Standard Operating Procedure - ATC Radar and Transponder
by
CDR. Gale Hewitt
NASMAB
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INTRODUCTION
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This document serves as a brief overview of the Shergood Aviation ATC Radar and its application for NASM flights.  It is not intended to be a complete reference to the operation of the various products, only as a guide to the procedures for its use and application at NASM. 

For full instructions and use on the product, a note card is provided with each of the products.  Refer to these for instructions and operation of each product.

PRODUCTS
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There are three (3) products that we will be using at NASM.  All three products are designed and developed by Shergood Aviation (SA).     They are listed below:

SA - Airport Radar v1.1
SA - GPS/Transponder HUD v1.1
SA - Transponder HUD v1.1
   
You will not be required to purchase anything.  There are three ATC Radars installed in the ATC Tower at NASM, they are set to Group Access.

The SA - GPS/Transponder HUD v1.1 is a purchasable item and is available in Market Place of in the vendors at Shergood  Aviation and at other airports throughout Second Life.

This product is fully featured and will display your XPDR Code and FLIGHT DESIGNATION.  Data entered in the DESIGNATION will be displayed on ATC RADAR and on the WWW Radar.

The SA - Transponder HUD v1.1 is a free item and is available in Market Place or in the vendors at Shergood Aviation and at other airports throughout Second Life.  This is a light version and will only display your XPDR Code on ATC Radar.  Additional flight information will only be displayed on the WWW Radar.

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/50794

Shergood Aviation is at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Venrigalli/187/22/86

   
In Addition to the three products described above, there is a fourth interface that you can use, the Shergood Aviation Radar web site:       http://shergoodaviation.com.  You must first register at Shergood Aviation to use the WWW Site.

PROCEDURES
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Prior to each flight, wear either your GSP/Transponder HUD or Transponder HUD.
There are 4 Steps to complete this procedure:
       
1.  Set your XPDR code
2.  optional Set your Flight Plan -FPL
3.  Set your Flight Designation - DES

4. Close Your Flight Plan 

 EXAMPLES
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In the example below we will use the data from CDR Gale Hewitt's McDonnel Douglas MD-900

BuNo - 16015MA
NRN - 16015MA550AK - McDonnel Douglas MD-900
SDN - AK-550
Navy - Storm 550
Modex - NAVY16015
Heltraron 28 (HT-28) Hellions - CDR Gale "Storm" Hewitt
SLM - Spijkers & Wingtips
Status - NASM
   
INDENT
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Indent is used to send a signal to ATC to identify you on their radar.  If ATC requests you to indent, simply press the indent button on your transponder.

Your flight will be temporary highlighted on their radar.

XPDR
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This your unique identification number that is displayed alongside your aircraft on the Radar.  Normally ATC will designate this code for     you and it will remain with you for the duration of your flight.  Mostly your flight will not be administered by ATC, therefore you will assign your own unique number.  Military flights always begin with a 4.  So your unique number will always start with a 4 followed by your aircraft SDN.

Enter a 4 and your SDN

Example: 4550
   
Please note there are several reserved XPDR Codes:
1200 – VFR
7500 – Hijack
7600 – Lost radio communications
7700 – Emergency
   
FLIGHT PLAN
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Flight plans can are created on the Shergood Aviation Radar web site.  Once created they can be loaded via the transponder menu and activated.  To create flight plans you must first register at Shergood Aviation.  Once you have your login details, login to the www site and go to the Radar page.  There is a tab called Plan, click this and follow the simple instructions to create your Flight Plan.

There are a few options on the FPL page.  Below are procedures to use the DIRECT option and the LOAD Option

Click the FPL button
Enter your destination
Click Activate
LOAD - click load to see your created Flight Plans, select the one you want
Click Activate
CLOSE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN - once you land at your destination.

FLIGHT DESIGNATION
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Data entered in the following format:

GPS/Transponder HUD
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Type: = Squad - Station
Tail#: = NRN
Flight#: = Modex

Example:

Type: = HT-28 - NASM
Tail#: = 16015MA550AK
Flight#: = NAVY16015
   
Transponder only HUD
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Enter XPDR code on the keypad
Example: 4550
   
Click FPL then Make/Model and enter Type
Example. HT-28 - NASM
   
ELT
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The ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) unit can be displayed by pressing the “SHOW ELT” panel above the HUD.  The ELT has a single switch with the positions OFF and ARM.  There is also an indicator light to show when the ELT has tripped.  In the OFF position, no ELT alarms will be sent.  In the ARM position, the ELT will trigger an alarm in response to a sudden acceleration/change in velocity (i.e., a crash).  The signal is visible on the radar screen to which search and rescue teams can respond.  The ELT will remain armed even if the ELT component is hidden.  When triggered, the ELT will unhide and the indicator light will illuminate.

The ELT also includes an alarm button to activate the the ELT.  To use the alarm, slide the cover, then press the button underneath.