91.247 Use of transponder and altitude reporting equipment

• (a) Except as provided in paragraph (g), a pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating in transponder mandatory special use airspace or transponder mandatory controlled airspace below flight level 245 designated under Part 71 within the New Zealand FIR must, unless otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC, operate the transponder --
  • (1) in Mode A and Mode C; or
  • (2) in Mode S if the aircraft is equipped with Mode S equipment and allocated a unique Mode S code referred to in paragraph (d); or
  • (3) to transmit ADS-B data, if the aircraft is equipped with an ADS- B system that meets the requirements under rule 91.257.
• (b) Except as provided in paragraph (g), a pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating in transponder mandatory controlled airspace above flight level 245 designated under Part 71 within the New Zealand FIR must, unless otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC, operate the transponder to transmit ADS-B data.
• (c) Except if paragraph (3) applies or if operating Mode S equipment, the pilot-in-command must set the transponder SSR code--
  • (1) to the code assigned by ATC for the flight; or
  • (2) if not assigned a code by ATC, in accordance with Table 2; and
  • (3) in the event of an in-flight emergency, loss of radio communications, or an act of unlawful interference, set the transponder to the appropriate code in accordance with Table 3.
• (d) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not operate Mode S transponder equipment unless the aircraft is transmitting a unique Mode S code assigned by the State of registry.
• (e) A pilot-in-command intending to operate an aircraft without an operable transponder in transponder mandatory airspace that is within controlled airspace must obtain specific authorisation from the ATC unit having jurisdiction over the relevant airspace as part of the ATC clearance to enter that airspace.
• (f) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating in transponder mandatory airspace must immediately advise the ATC unit having jurisdiction over the relevant airspace of any failure or partial failure of the transponder equipment.
• (g) Unless otherwise required by ATC, only one of the aircraft in a formation flight is required to operate a transponder in accordance with paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

Table 2. Airspace SSR Codes

Flight rules	Type of aircraft operation	SSR Code
VFR	For aircraft involved in fire fighting and reconnaissance duties	0111
IFR	All	2000
VFR	All - in Auckland Oceanic FIR only	2000
VFR	All - when operating in the aerodrome traffic circuit at a controlled aerodrome	2200
VFR	Aeroplanes other than Defence aeroplanes	1200
VFR	Gliders or balloons	1300
VFR	Powered aircraft in designated general aviation areas	1400
VFR	Helicopters other than Defence helicopters	1500
VFR	Defence aeroplanes	6000
VFR	Defence helicopters	6500

Table 3. Emergency SSR Codes

Occurrence	SSR Code
Unlawful interference	7500
Loss of radio communication	7600
In flight emergency when no code has been allocated by ATC	7700