Aircraft not using ATC service squawk a non-discrete beacon code (such as 1200). They will show up on a controller's display as a selected symbol such as a triangle of square, etc. The type of aircraft and identification will be unknown, The 'secondary' radar (the one that interrogates aircraft transponders) will process the code and pass along it's reported altitude to the ATC software. It will then be displayed on a controller's radar display as the symbol and the data tag will include the received altitude (if the aircraft has that equipment). The controller will not be talking to that aircraft crew but will be able to advise other pilots that he is controlling of the presence of the unknown aircraft. I.E., Delta205, traffic 10 o'clock six miles, southbound, altitude indicates 4,500 unverified'. If it appears the aircraft will come too close, the controller will move the plane he is controlling away by turning, or altitude restriction.

I actually squawked 76 once. Quite an eventful flight.

I remember Squawk 1232 which was Given to a BA Flight from Cape Town to London. It was based off the Rugby World Cup final result, 12-32 to South Africa

Captain Joe taught me the emergency squawk codes: 7-5, man with a knife (Hijack) 7-6, I need my radio fixed (Radio failure) 7-7, falling from heaven (Emergency)

Almost about 30 years back, we were taught to remember the emergency codes as HRD The HR Dept is one always in the limelight in any company for all sorts of reasons. H- Hijack 7500 R - RT failure 7600 D - Distress (emergency) 7700

I know all about squawk codes. Nice, simple explanation. I haven't had to use any of the emergency codes yet thankfully!

No. I had no idea about such codes. Thanks @Simple Flying for making a video on this topic.

Very excellent👍. I know of those 3 squawk codes

Excellent information.

Forty years ago when I started in ATC aircraft transponders would transmit the squawk code, altitude and, when requested by the controller, an ‘ident’ signal. As stated in the video, only digits 0-7 were allowed which meant a total of 4096 discrete squawks were available, not nearly enough to cover all flights in the world even back then. Certain blocks of codes were allocated to different air traffic control centres or groups of centres so an aircraft would be allocated a new squawk when it entered a new region. A controller’s radar display would convert the four digit squawk to the aircraft’s callsign or registration which greatly enhanced a controller’s awareness of which aircraft was which. The altitude was shown as a three digit Flight Level (eg 100 for 10,000ft or FL100) and when the pilot pressed the ‘ident’ button the radar symbol would flash for a few seconds which enabled the controller to positively identify an aircraft. Nowadays transponders are far more complex and transmit much more information which is why you can track aircraft on your phone using number of different apps.

4096 total transponder codes. . . using octal digits for 0 to 7. You forgot the default VFR Squawk 1200

Thanks.

Does anyone know what song is played starting at the beginning of the video. Thankyou!

Cool, video, thanks. Here's an idea for another - what are ATC nicknames, such as Brickyard and Speedbird

Finally

How does ATC assign squawk codes and are they unique to each aircraft. Example if 2 aircrafts in the same airspace have the same emergency onboard,would both aircrafts be assigned squawk 7700?

I am aware of squawk codes, but only due to my father’s flying experiences. I was made well-aware at an early age that 7700 is what to use if the ol’ man becomes incapacitated for whatever reason. Because he flew for American Airlines, he was a tea-totaler, and alcohol was never an issue while he flew.

Coool

I wasn't 100% sure how they were used

But what I want to know is how does ATC give the squawk codes? Are they randomly given or are pre programmed

Without the transponder controller have to rely on primary radar. Which is very sparse on information if the controller even has a set.

Which aircraft is better a320 neo or max 8

What Abot 121.5?

It’s slightly misleading to civilians to explain that squawk codes are a method of communication. Squawk codes are a random series of 4 numbers assigned by ATC computers to a given IFR flight. The 4 digit code is put into the transponder on the flight deck. When the flight becomes airborne, ground radar scans or interrogates the air searching for a return signal from the airborne transponder. Once received the signal shows up on the radar controllers screen and identifies the aircraft by flight number, speed and type aircraft. The controller uses this information to give instructions or guidance to the flight crew. The information is transmitted electronically- limiting or eliminating the need for constant verbal communication about location and speed. As others have noted, there are special 4 digit codes for emergency, hijacking and loss of radio communication.

I was watching this video, logged onto FR24 and found 3x 7700 aircraft lol

Why only 1 through 7?

Of course, the only code unavailable to aviation enthusiasts is 7500 as any hijack situation remains under wraps, quite rightfully.

7600 … aircraft has lost communications not only with tower but also approach and ACC ???

2024 air Moana 7700

Hey guys - thanks for making 7500 public so that when someone breaks into my cockpit they now know the one thing that keeps me and my crew safe. Excellent thinking... anything for likes these days.

What about 6969?

Wow the narrator hides his true accent well