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From: jcmorris@mitre-bedford.ARPA (Joseph C. Morris)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: MicroSoft Flight Simulator 3.0
Message-ID: <37564@linus.UUCP>
Date: 31 Jul 88 17:05:31 GMT
References: <8807131804.AA24725@jade.berkeley.edu> <UWtxkpy00Xc7I2c0c3@andrew.cmu.edu> <1217@micomvax.UUCP> <1222@micomvax.UUCP>
Sender: news@linus.UUCP
Reply-To: jcmorris@mbunix (Morris)
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA.
Lines: 24

In article <1222@micomvax.UUCP> ray@micomvax.UUCP (Ray Dunn) writes:
>"Squawk" code and Transponder:
>  Air Traffic Control (ATC) does not request a squawk code, as stated in
>  the manual on page 39; but the transponder can be tuned as described.

Nit-picking time: you don't "tune" a transponder except in the avionics shop;
what you're doing is setting a 4-digit _octal_ number which is transmitted
in response to a radar interrogation.  It's a common problem trying to teach
student pilots that there aren't displays with "8" or "9".  A long-standing
joke has the following appearing on an FAA written examination:

(123)  You have contacted Departure Control following takeoff.  The controller
       instructs you to squawk 2158 and ident.  You should:

   (a)  Set the code dials on your transponder to 2158 and press the "IDENT"
        button.
   (b)  Same as (a) but ensure that the transponder is operational by using
        the built-in "TEST" function before pressing "IDENT".
   (c)  Respond with a "SAY AGAIN" request.
   (d)  Laugh.

The (genuine) correct answer would be (c), since 2158 isn't a possible answer.
To the joke, of course, the answer is (d).

Joe Morris