radar identified

[binky]

Why is it you hear "reset transponder, squawk xxxx and ident" in the US whereas in Canada this would constitute two seperate methods of radar identification?

[KSYR-pjr]

I am not sure exactly what you are questioning, but broken down, "reset transponder, squawk XXXX" typically is issued because different sectors have different squawk code blocks.  For whatever reason, the squawk issued when the aircraft received the IFR clearance or VFR flight following code is no longer the code that ATC wants to use in that sector.

IDENT is then issued by ATC often because either there is already a lot of traffic clutter on the scope or the aircraft is in questionable radar coverage area and may not be appearing on the scope.  An IDENT will "bloom" the aircraft's transponder return on the controller's scope so that s/he can get an immediate fix on the aircraft's location within that controller's airspace.

Oh, and I should add:  This is based on my experience sitting behind a yoke, not a scope. 

[davolijj]

That's a good question.  I hear that frequently too and you're correct, it does constitute two separate methods of secondary radar identification...the first one being observance of a beacon code change:

b. Request the aircraft to change to a specific discrete or nondiscrete code, as appropriate, and then observe the target or code display change...

and the second utilizing the IDENT feature of the aircraft's transponder:

a. Request the aircraft to activate the "IDENT" feature of the transponder and then observe the identification display.

I believe it is more of a technique than anything else.  If one strictly interprets the method perscribed above regarding the beacon code change, a controller would have to be watching the target before the change is made and then observe the change in beacon codes which would require a considerable amount of time looking at one target....not a good thing to do if you're busy.  By using the technique in your example, one would only need to see a bloomer (which lasts for about 5-7 seconds) to consider the aircraft radar identified.  Also the phraseology example in the paragraph above states...

PHRASEOLOGY-
IDENT.
SQUAWK (code) AND IDENT.

[binky]

Thanks, that makes sense.  I was thinking that there was some kind of difference in the way the radar displays operate in Canada and the US.  I assumed that since a pilot would normally call up giving some position information, the controller would already be looking in that general area.  Then again position reports have been known to be erroneous.

[w0x0f]

Position reports may be used for radar identification if the following requirements are met:

5-3-2. PRIMARY RADAR IDENTIFICATION METHODS

Identify a primary or radar beacon target by using one of the following methods:

Observing a target whose position with respect to a fix (displayed on the video map, scribed on the map overlay, or displayed as a permanent echo) or a visual reporting point (whose range and azimuth from the radar antenna has been accurately determined and made available to the controller) corresponds with a direct position report received from an aircraft, and the observed track is consistent with the reported heading or route of flight. If a TACAN/VORTAC is located within 6,000 feet of the radar antenna, the TACAN/VORTAC may be used as a reference fix for radar identification without being displayed on the video map or map overlay

The problem is there may be more than one target in that general area.  A change in beacon code is more reliable under those circumstances.

w0x0f

[Lexxx]

Why is it you hear "reset transponder, squawk xxxx and ident" in the US whereas in Canada this would constitute two seperate methods of radar identification?

Actually it's three methods.

"reset your transponder" would be heard most often if an expected target correlates on radar as a prime target only, and the aircraft's transponder doesn't appear to be working. Resetting the transponder (tuning it off for 5 seconds and turning it back on) recycles (resets) the aircraft's transponder to the assigned code.

"squawk xxxx" is another method of identification. If an aircraft doesn't get his code on the ground you'd hear this if the aircraft was required to change his transponder code for some reason enroute (not too common, usually for airline types, the code is kept from start to finish). For VFR aircraft if they've been out of controlled airspace they are probably squawking 1200. To enter controlled airspace for a landing let's say at an airport with radar, the aircraft would be requested to "squawk xxxx"

"ident" If an VFR aircraft is already on an assigned code from another ATC sector, and the aircraft has already been assigned a code, the new controller may ask him to "ident". The target with flash on the screen for 10 seconds of so. Another form of identication in Canada anyway is to observe the correct transponer code within a mile off ther end of the runway. If the aircraft is beyond that point because of radar coverage or other reasons, the controller will get the aircraft to "squawk ident" even if he sees the correct tag in the general area where it should be, but more than a mile.