Piper PA-28-161 Cadet

[Hamish McTorsk]

I just picked up a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet on my screen, do light aircraft have to have SBS ???

[Keith L]

By SBS I assume you are referring to Mode-S transponders?  That is a difficult question to answer!  Despite the much heralded standardisation promised by EASA the situation is very confused.

Requirements for Aircraft to be Equipped with, and Operate, Mode S Transponders
The first and main point to be aware of is that, due to the wide national differences that exist with regard to regulations concerning Mode S transponder carriage for VFR flight in various airspace categories etc, standardisation on this particular issue has just not been possible.

I know you are in Denmark and I'm afraid I have no knowledge of the Danish regulations, this is what Eurocontrol believes the current UK situation is:

With effect from 31 March 2008, Mode S became the technical means of compliance in all circumstances where equipage and operation of a transponder is mandatory. For VFR flights in the UK, those circumstances are as follows:
   
   
      All aircraft within UK airspace above FL 100;
      All aircraft within airspace notified as a 'Transponder Mandatory Zone' (TMZ),
      All aircraft, except balloons, flying for the purpose of public transport.
   
Aircraft equipped with a Mode A/C transponder prior to 31 March 2008 may register for an exemption and permission to continue to operate with their existing equipment until 31 March 2012.

The following exceptions to the Mode S VFR rules apply:

Gliders, including self-sustaining gliders and self-propelled hang gliders, except where operating above FL 195 outside of airspace notified as a TRA(G);

Aircraft operating in accordance with a clearance from an appropriate ATC unit for a particular flight, and in compliance with any instructions that the ATC unit may give in the particular case and the appropriate Rules of the Air that apply in the airspace concerned,

Aircraft operating in accordance with a general permission given by the appropriate ATC unit, and in compliance with any instructions that the ATC unit may give in relation to the particular flight and the appropriate Rules of the Air that apply in the airspace concerned.
   
   
Future proposals
The CAA (UK) is currently developing proposals to extend the circumstances in which equipage and operation of (Mode S) transponders is mandatory. A 17-week consultation period has recently closed and the responses reviewed. Specific measures can now be considered to lessen the impact on General Aviation operators. More details concerning this process, with a Synopsis of Comments Received and a Summary of Responses can be accessed via the CAA (UK) Mode S Homepage

Doesn't answer the question but gives you an idea of why some light aircraft have Mode-S transponders and some don't, I doubt you'll see many (if any) which are ADS-B equipped.

[RodBearden]

There are one or two around - here in Lancashire we have Cessna 172 G-BRZS will full ADS-B, and there was a Dutch C182 that was active last summer.

The list is growing slowly.

Rod

[DaveReid]

I just picked up a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet on my screen

Out of interest, what was the identity ?

[Hamish McTorsk]

OY-JBF

http://images.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=OY-JBF&distinct_entry=true

[DaveReid]

OY-JBF

http://images.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=OY-JBF&distinct_entry=true

Thanks - looking at my PlanePlotter log I can see it on a number of occasions since the end of October 2008.

[viking9]

One for Hamish here - I have a Danish Air Force CL-64 (Challenger) Reg C-080 ModeS 45F422 at FL285 squawking 5252.

[Hamish McTorsk]

Ah ha .. Where did you see it ??

[Hamish McTorsk]

I just found it in my log, didnt notice it, thanks Viking, now I know that I can get Danish mil.

[viking9]

Hamish,

According to PlanePlotter he is still on the east coast of England, near Norwich. Looks as if he is going north. I'll keep you posted.

Tom

[viking9]

Hamish,

You need to set your alerts for Danish ModeS.

Tom

[Hamish McTorsk]

Huuurruummppphh..... And how might I ask do you do that .....*lol*

[viking9]

Hamish,

UK sharers have just lost him and he's being picked up by Berend in NL so I guess he's turned around and gone south.

To track non-positional ac you need PlanePlotter and a script called MyCircles. It's not very accurate and you have to do some guesswork, but by watching the sharer circles and knowing the squawk codes you can tell the general direction of an ac.

Tom

[Hamish McTorsk]

Ok, thanks for that...I figured it out the alerts..

[viking9]

Hamish,

All stations have lost him so I assume he has gone south. I've got to go and worm the cat now but I've set an alert to warn me if he returns.

Tom