On Thursday, May 17, 2012 5:41:54 PM UTC-6, T wrote:
On May 17, 1:30*pm, Vaughn wrote:
Just today, I received the below notice from the FAA. *I thought this
was a "done deal" more than a year ago?
Vaughn

New VFR Transponder Code for Gliders
Notice Number: NOTC3762

New VFR Transponder Code for Gliders

In a notice issued on March 7, 2012, the FAA will now offer transponder
code 1202 for glider pilots to use when not in contact with ATC. The new
code will help ATC differentiate gliders, which have unique flight and
maneuvering limitations, from other VFR traffic.

An accident, many incidents, and a National Transportation Safety Board
recommendation highlight the need for a national beacon code for gliders
that are operating VFR and not in contact with ATC. ATC personnel will
be informed of the code, what it represents, and under what limitations
the users are typically operating (e.g., unable to hold a requested
altitude). Several codes considered in the past have conflicted with
other operations.

May all your experiences be uplifting!

Bryan Neville, AFS-850
FAA Safety Team

You will notice that JO 7110.577 expires July 26 2012, which is the
next expected publication date to get the xpndr code assignment into
all of the required publications. FAA was behind in their own internal
coordination for publication.

1201 was originally picked over a year ago, they (FAA) changed to 1202
because 1201 had other uses.

T
FAASTeam Member

Yep. 1201 had a smallish geographic assignment, but it was also relatively near a lot of gliding activity. Pilots should get on board with their local ARTCC's for a tour. It's changed a lot in recent years and is even now in upgrade. Quite a few young adults in training in our center. Still a lousy shift rotation if you ask me. However, we were able to watch a transponder equipped glider struggle in weak lift, then finally enter the pattern.. As our tour was ending, the glider turned final. I'd like to be in there on a really busy soaring day as we now have quite a few glider pilots flying with transponders. At the moment we have a TFR due to a still growing wild fire;^(

Frank Whiteley