Feature Request - VFR squawk press/hold
Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: AXP340/322 ADS-B Transponder
Forum Description: Topics on the Avidyne AXP340/322 ADS-B Transponder
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1198
Printed Date: 25 Dec 2024 at 2:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Feature Request - VFR squawk press/hold
Posted By: compasst
Subject: Feature Request - VFR squawk press/hold
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2017 at 7:44am
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Several times I have reached for the IDENT button only to press the VFR button and lost the entered code on the transponder. Reading this forum, I see that this has happened to several users, and that there is a quick 'return to last code' feature already in the transponder. I'd like to suggest adding a 'press VFR and hold' for a brief time (a second would be sufficient) to help avoid the problem of hitting the wrong button, especially when bouncing around in IFR conditions as is often encountered. I think the use of the IDENT button is very common on every IFR flight whereas the VFR button is usually only once per flight, so having to hold it a moment would certainly not be an inconvenience. If there is resistance to making the VFR button press-and-hold, how about making this a set-up option? |
Replies:
Posted By: pburger
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2017 at 8:53am
| That sounds like a reasonable request to me. Inadvertent button pushes can be problematic. Back when I had a Garmin GNC-300XL, I inadvertently hit the flip/flop freq button on a turbulent IFR flight.(it was right next to the CLR button, which I was trying to press for some reason). After some time a controller called me and when I responded she asked why I was on the wrong frequency. I argued with her a bit until I realized what happened. |
Posted By: chflyer
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2017 at 1:24pm
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Creepy. Just last week I was asked by ATC to ident and just as I was about to push the ident button I "hit a bump in the road" and hit both the Ident and VFR buttons together instead, which of course got an ATC reply that they saw me squawking VFR. Cleared it up by backing up to the assigned squawk and hitting Ident again, but was a bit of a nuisance. So this suggestion gets my support. ------------- Vince |
Posted By: LarryPetro
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2017 at 2:21pm
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I would also like to have the Hold-for-VFR feature. While a one-second hold would be better than at present, I'd like a two-second hold. I fly in the DC SFRA where squawking 1200 is not a mere ATC inconvenience. The 340's IDENT and VFR buttons are very close together (immediately adjacent), which, in turbulence, can cause the pilot to bump the VFR button when intending to press IDENT. Even in smooth conditions, it's very possible to fat-finger the two buttons. ATC's direction to IDENT routinely is made when a flight is transitioning from a VFR departure to IFR enroute clearance, which frequently corresponds to a turbulent, low altitude. Other manufacturers place their transponder's VFR and IDENT buttons far apart, which eliminates this mistake. A remotely mounted IDENT button can also solve the problem, but a software fix would be welcome. ------------- Larry Petro - Columbia 350 @ KFME |
Posted By: compasst
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2017 at 3:51pm
| I think a 2 second press might be difficult to maintain in turbulence compared to a 1 second press. 1 second will seem long to the button presser, imho. |
Posted By: LANCE
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2017 at 5:43pm
| This is why I like my remote Ident button on my yoke. |
Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2017 at 3:31pm
As do I. Very handy. I was hit by the errant VFR push on occasion as well. * Orest |
LANCE wrote:Posted By: compasst
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2017 at 7:35pm
| I'm betting there are more aircraft using this transponder that do not have yoke IDENT buttons than do - and many of them, like mine, cannot be modified to have an IDENT button installed in the yoke. |