AIM 

4/20/23 

relatively short flights. Participating pilots are encouraged to use TEC for flights of two hours duration or less. 

If longer flights are planned, extensive coordination may be required within the multiple complex which could 

result in unanticipated delays. 

b. 

Pilots requesting TEC are subject to the same delay factor at the destination airport as other aircraft in the 

ATC system. In addition, departure and en route delays may occur depending upon individual facility workload. 

When a major metropolitan airport is incurring significant delays, pilots in the TEC program may want to 

consider an alternative airport experiencing no delay. 

c. 

There are no unique requirements upon pilots to use the TEC program. Normal flight plan filing procedures 

will ensure proper flight plan processing. Pilots should include the acronym “TEC” in the remarks section of the 

flight plan when requesting tower en route control. 

d. 

All approach controls in the system may not operate up to the maximum TEC altitude of 10,000  feet. IFR 

flight may be planned to any satellite airport in proximity to the major primary airport via the same routing. 

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20.  Transponder and ADS

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B Out Operation 

a.  General 

1. 

Pilots should be aware that proper application of transponder and ADS

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B operating procedures will 

provide both VFR and IFR aircraft with a higher degree of safety while operating on the ground and airborne. 

Transponder/ADS

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B panel designs differ; therefore, a pilot should be thoroughly familiar with the operation of 

their particular equipment to maximize its full potential. ADS

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B Out, and transponders with altitude reporting 

mode turned ON (Mode C or S), substantially increase the capability of surveillance systems to see an aircraft. 

This provides air traffic controllers, as well as pilots of suitably equipped aircraft (TCAS and ADS

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B In), 

increased situational awareness and the ability to identify potential traffic conflicts. Even VFR pilots who are 

not in contact with ATC will be afforded greater protection from IFR aircraft and VFR aircraft that are receiving 

traffic advisories. Nevertheless, pilots should never relax their visual scanning for other aircraft, and should 

include the ADS

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B In display (if equipped) in their normal traffic scan. 

2. 

Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) is similar to and compatible with military coded 

radar beacon equipment. Civil Mode A is identical to military Mode 3. 

3.  Transponder and ADS-B operations on the ground

. Civil and military aircraft should operate with 

the transponder in the altitude reporting mode (consult the aircraft’s flight manual to determine the specific 

transponder position to enable altitude reporting) and ADS

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B Out transmissions enabled at all airports, any time 

the aircraft is positioned on any portion of the airport movement area. This includes all defined taxiways and 

runways. Pilots must pay particular attention to ATIS and airport diagram notations, General Notes (included 

on airport charts), and comply with directions pertaining to transponder and ADS-B usage. Generally, these 

directions are: 

(a)  Departures.

 Select the transponder mode which allows altitude reporting and enable ADS-B during 

pushback or taxi-out from parking spot. Select TA or TA/RA (if equipped with TCAS) when taking the active 

runway. 

(b)  Arrivals.

 If TCAS equipped, deselect TA or TA/RA upon leaving the active runway, but continue 

transponder and ADS

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B transmissions in the altitude reporting mode. Select STBY or OFF for transponder and 

ADS

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B upon arriving at the aircraft’s parking spot or gate. 

4.  Transponder and ADS-B Operations While Airborne. 

(a) 

Unless otherwise requested by ATC, aircraft equipped with an ATC transponder maintained in 

accordance with 14 CFR Section 91.413 MUST operate with this equipment on the appropriate Mode 3/A code, 

or other code as assigned by ATC, and with altitude reporting enabled whenever in controlled airspace. If 

practicable, aircraft SHOULD operate with the transponder enabled in uncontrolled airspace. 

(b) 

Aircraft equipped with ADS

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B Out MUST operate with this equipment in the transmit mode at all 

times, unless otherwise requested by ATC. 

Services Available to Pilots 

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