New Transponder Code (1202) for Gliders (Effective Feb 9, 2012)

Before the advent of TCAS, line pilots (for the most part) spent very
little time looking out the window during the descent and or the
approach phase in busy terminal areas, LAX for example.
Since the inclusion of TCAS equipment, line pilots (for the most part)
look out the window even less. *The thinking being if it’s out there,
I’ll either catch it on TCAS or ATC will tell me about it.


I disagree, line pilots I work with do look out the window in the
terminal area.
I’m really tired of these stereotypes.

It’s a busy high workload environment for pilots and atc as most
airports are
trying to cram in as many airplanes as possible into airports without
enough
runways, this cuts into the time available for looking out but the
effort is made.

The controllers are usually trying to get us to make visual contact
with the
airplane ahead to clear us for a visual approach, to do this we look
out the window.

If you take a look at a display of traffic around the major airports
you’ll want
to have a transponder when flying near these busy places.

Jim