On Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 10:04:21 AM UTC-7, Paul Agnew wrote:
On Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 12:17:45 PM UTC-4, Darryl Ramm wrote:
Replying again, in the right thread this time.

You don’t have a simple option to leave a transponder turned off. Once installed you are required to use it in *controlled airspace*. 14 CFR 91.215....

On Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 5:10:06 AM UTC-7, Jonathan Foster wrote:
On Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 10:08:20 PM UTC-6, Darryl Ramm wrote:
On Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 8:36:37 PM UTC-7, wrote:
I have a trig transponder (no ADSB yet). This transponder is not legally required in a glider. So, do I still have to get the transponder checked every two years per 91.413?

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.413

It appears so to me, but am I missing something?

Yes, there is no difference here between gliders (and other transponder partial exemption aircraft) and a VFR powered aircraft. It is clear in the regulations.

This may be a silly question if at the end of two years you decide not to use the transponder anymore but leave it in your panel always turned off. Would you still legally be required to have it checked?

If it's not currently useable due to the being out of currency, so to speak, I would think you could legally use 91.213 d(3) (ii) to deactivate it, placard it, and go fly.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

Please no. More responsibly/safely, if maybe less complaint with regulations, fly with the transponder turned on, get it tested ASAP. Thankfully lots of clubs/FBOs are good at arranging transponder check days and getting somebody out to test all the gliders at a site in one day so this hopefully never comes up a an issue.

There should be no real excuses nowadays to flying with a transponder tuned off. As JJ mentioned, the transponder being turned off in the ASG-29 involved in the middair with the Hawker 800 (a "fast twin" :-)) near Minden was pretty unfortunate (no, OK stupid). And more recently than that events like the ASH26E (no transponder installed) close encounter with a B737 going into Chicago is a reminder that transponders are important safety devices in busy airspace, especially with TCAS equipped fast jets and airliners, etc.