Exactly my point. Certification is often a quick and dirty test by
someone who probably isn't an expert on avionics just using a test box
or gizmo of some sort. It's easy to test your encoder yourself - many
transponders will report their output for you - and if your transponder
replies to interrogations with the correct altitude, the only questions
remaining are the transmitter output frequency and power. (something I
am equipped to measure too, but then I am a geek with high-tech toys!)

If I had a working transponder, it would be on, whatever the status of
the paperwork!

Mike


What does "certification" entail? When my transponder was installed, all
it got was a 5 minute "VFR check" with a little box about 5 feet from
the glider that showed it responded to interrogations and that the mode
C altitude reported was the airport elevation. It that all it takes to
ensure a TCAS isn't fooled?

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

www.motorglider.org - Download "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane
Operation"