Do you have a Transponder Scottie.......

[1600vw]

I hope this is not a stupid question:

Would you use a transponder in say an ultralight, or a small eab?

When is it ones says I do not need a transponder or I believe I need a transponder?

Again I hope this is not a stupid question.

H.A.S.

[rosiejerryrosie]

Depends on where you plan to fly. Needed if you plan to fly in A,B,C or D airspace and your aircraft has (or ever had) mechanically generated electricity.

[1600vw]

Lets say your airfield is right on the edge of class c airspace.

[martymayes]

I wouldn't install one unless I just had money burning a hole in my pocket. Even then I could find other things to buy.

Per 91.130 regs, ATC may authorize a deviation from the transponder requirement on a continuing basis or for an individual flight, as appropriate. That's the way I have done it with non-transponder aircraft and I have based a non-transponder aircraft at Class C airport for several yrs.

[WLIU]

I will suggest that a lot depends on the type of traffic that motors through the airpace that you like to operate in. If you stay low and are not near a large municipal airport that has multiple airlines operating in and out, you likely do not need a transponder. But if your home field is close to someplace that has a lot of jets coming and going, it is likely to your advantage to carry one.

An example of where a transponder might help is Bradley International near Hartford CT. The hang gliders and ultralights fly off Talcott Mountain just west of the field. The pilots who really soar high carry radios and talk to Bradley Approach so that they don't get close encounters with the airline traffic. Not sure if they are using transponders. But there is a famous incident from a good soaring day where an airline guy was on the approach and Bradley called a hang glider as traffic. The airline pilot gave a cursory reply that the controller must have interpreted as a brush off, don't bother me response. The controller next said "SIR, HE IS ABOVE YOU!" and I can only guess that upon hearing that exclamation some eyes snapped away from the airliner's instrument panel and started looking out the windshield. I wonder what a Boeing looks like to a hang glider pilot looking down?

So you might find a way to speak with the staff at the nearest Control Tower facility, or the Procedures Specialist at the nearest Approach control facility about the airspace that you fly most in. In my experience those folks are happy to talk to you. Use their views on how they route fast movers and just general traffic as part of your decision.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[1600vw]

Wes I would like to thank you for this imput. If you would look at a sectional for the St.Louis area. I can not remember what that sectional is called, but look at 3IS5 Holmes field. Class C airspace starts as soon as you step off the runway into the field to the north. That is class C airspace.
At Capitol Airport we had the F16 Fighter Wing. They where moved and because of this someone else took over that space they had. Now they maintance big airplane their. Last summer I saw some of the biggest airplanes I have ever seen flying into capitol. Also one evening off to my north, maybe one mile, at my alt, was one big airplane. Not sure what it was but she was big. Look at the sectional for 3IS5 and capitol airport.
Now fast forward to today. I happened to purchase a package from a man and in that package was some very nice like new equipment. One of the things in this box was a Narco TSO AT150 Transponder with AR850 encoder and wiring harness.
I was wondering should I use this in my Airplane or should I sell this equipment or trade it.

H.Anthony Sweet