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 Mode S and ACAS Programme
 ACAS
 Mode S
Mode S Operational Overview
Technical Overview
Airborne Equipment - Requirements and Certification
Implementation of Mode S ELS and EHS
Mode S & the Aircraft Identification Programme
General Aviation - VFR Briefing Room
State Aircraft Operators
Exemption Coordination Cell (ECC)
Library
Airborne Monitoring Project (AMP)
Mode S Interrogator Code (IC) Allocation Cell
Aircraft EHS Capability
Mode S Transponder Capability
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EUROCONTROL > ATM Performance > EATM > MSA > Mode S > General Aviation - VFR Briefing Room 

General Aviation - VFR Briefing Room
This section of the Mode S website is set aside for those who fly (mostly) under VFR, in light aircraft, touring motor gliders, helicopters, balloons, airships, gliders, self sustaining gliders (SSG), self launching motor gliders (SLMG), hangliders or paragliders (including powered variants).

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.

You will, therefore, need to consult the latest aeronautical information available for the state in which you intend to fly.

As an aid, we have grouped together, by state, those AICs relating to VFR flight, plus other relevant documents / web links / contact details, and included a brief summary of the current situation existing in each state regarding Mode S and VFR flights. However, please be aware that the information provided below is designed to give an indication as to the rules and requirements of the individual states listed. You must always consult the latest documents / amendments / circulars / supplements etc to obtain the very latest, up-to-the-minute information.

General Aviation: VFR Flights - State Regulations/Requirements

  Belgium and Luxembourg
  Czech Republic
  France
  Germany
  The Netherlands
  Switzerland
  United Kingdom

Essential Operational and Technical Information

The following documents offer essential guidance concerning flight plans, operation of the Aircraft Identity feature and certification of Mode S airborne equipment:

Mode S - Flight Plans and Transponders

This document is aimed mainly at flight crews and aircraft operations staff and it outlines basic rules for the completion of flight plans and the operation of Mode S transponders.
Acrobat EN
Date: 21/04/2009 Edition: 2.0

JAA Temporary Guidance leaflet (TGL) 13, Revision 1: Certification of Mode S Transponder Systems for Elementary Surveillance (ELS)

***The version of this document available here is being updated and is expected to be released in 2012 as EASA AMC (Acceptable Means of Compliance) 20-18***

This guidance material has been prepared for the installation and certification of Mode S SSR for Elementary Surveillance. It does not constitute a regulation but does establish an acceptable means that can be used to obtain airworthiness approval of Mode S systems. Revision 1 of this guidance material takes account of Amendment 77 to ICAO Annex 10 Volumes III and IV, July 2002.
Acrobat EN
Date: 01/06/2003 Edition: Revision 1

EASA AMC 20-13: Certification of Mode S Transponder Systems for Enhanced Surveillance (EHS)

This guidance material from EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) has been prepared for the installation, certification and maintenance of Mode S SSR transponder systems for Enhanced Surveillance. It does not constitute a regulation but it does provide a method by which equipment installers and aircraft operators can satisfy an authority that the transponder capability required by airspace regulations has been addressed.

Note:
1. This advisory material supersedes and replaces JAA TGL N°. 18 and NPA 20-12a.
2. It is practice for EASA to group AMCs together; AMC 20-13 begins on Page 30 of this 45 page PDF.
Acrobat EN
Date: 22/12/2006

EASA Certification of Mode S Elementary and Enhanced Surveillance Transponder Modifications

This is an "open letter" outlining the EASA position regarding the modification and certification of aircraft required to meet the European airspace mandate for Mode S Elementary Surveillance (ELS) and Mode S Enhanced Surveillance (EHS). It addresses questions such as;

- Which aircraft are required to have Mode S EHS?
- Who can modify my aircraft?
- What are the Certification Requirements for Mode S ELS and EHS?

and also deals with some of the most common certification problems.
Acrobat EN
Date: 02/03/2007 Edition: Issue 2

Mode S Transponders - Summary of Transponder Status

Information provided in the list of transponders attached below ("Summary of Mode S Transponder Status") is for guidance only. Aircraft owners / operators should always consult their supplier to verify equipment capability and suitability.

Summary of Mode S Transponder Status

The list was last updated in January 2008.
Acrobat EN
Date: 24/01/2008

Mode S Transponders - Lightweight Aviation SSR Transponder (LAST) & Low Power SSR Mode S Transponder (LPST)

The following EUROCONTROL documents cover operational and technical aspect of LAST and LPST.

Light Aviation SSR Transponde (LAST) Report

This Study addresses the detection and recognition of light aircraft in the current and future ATM environment.
Acrobat EN  -  LAST Report
Acrobat EN  -  Annex A - Current Light Aviation Operational Requirements
Acrobat EN  -  Annex B - ATM Incidents Accross Europe
Acrobat EN  -  Annex C - Studies, Trials and Technology Developments
Acrobat EN  -  Annex D - Results of Research and Consultation
Date: 04/05/2005 Edition: 1.0

Consideration for Low Power SSR Mode S Transponder (LPST) Operations

To support a future Concept of Operation, this document presents considerations for the operation of a Low Power SSR Mode-S Transponder (LPST)
Acrobat EN
Date: 24/10/2007 Edition: 1.0
 
  Last validation: 23/09/2010