Aircraft and equipment compatibility

[Bidimus]

Couple quick questions about PE and non typical aircraft and equipment. First off is non-transponder equipped aircraft. I have a beautiful freeware Piper Super Cub I like to fly but it is only equipped with a single com radio. My understanding is this would be legal for flight outside of mode C required airspace but Vatsim requires you to squawk VFR regardless which wouldn't be possible with this aircraft. How does PE stand on this topic?

On a related note, is there a list anyplace I can find to see what planes PE models out to show other pilots. For example, if I chose to fly my Super Cub and have a small fly-in, would anyone else be able to see it? Or what about something more obscure like an autogyro? And if I flew an airplane that isn't natively modeled, what would the other pilots see?

[Peter Grey]

Couple quick questions about PE and non typical aircraft and equipment. First off is non-transponder equipped aircraft. I have a beautiful freeware Piper Super Cub I like to fly but it is only equipped with a single com radio. My understanding is this would be legal for flight outside of mode C required airspace but Vatsim requires you to squawk VFR regardless which wouldn't be possible with this aircraft. How does PE stand on this topic?

We do not follow the VATSIM rule regarding transponders. So if you are in airspace that doesn't require a transponder you don't need one here.

However there is a caveat to this. Real world controllers have the ability to "radar identify" non transponder equipped aircraft, we don't have this ability here so if you don't have a transponder and we are at all busy you won't be able to get any sort of radar service from us.

On a related note, is there a list anyplace I can find to see what planes PE models out to show other pilots.

I'll have to defer to Keith on the list.

For example, if I chose to fly my Super Cub and have a small fly-in, would anyone else be able to see it?

It depends, most likely not.

Or what about something more obscure like an autogyro?

Once again most likely not.

And if I flew an airplane that isn't natively modeled, what would the other pilots see?

They will see a C172.

[Keith Smith]

The Piper Cub is included in the CSL with X-Plane, so other xplane users will see you. The stock Piper Cub from FSX is also referenced so FSX users should see you as well. The ICAO code is "J3"

[NameCoin]

I've heard that there is a provision to the Mode C requirement in 91.215: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SI ... 5&rgn=div8.

Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon or glider may conduct operations in the airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part provided such operations are conducted—

Many conditions follow. Does the Piper Cub fall into this category?

[Bidimus]

Thanks guys. I had no idea that IRL aircraft were radar identifiable without a transponder.

So is the C172 default regardless of the size of airplane I'm flying? Something like the Spruce Goose perhaps?

One more specific question, what about a Grumman Goose (G21)? This is my go-to airplane for FSE.

[Keith Smith]

You should connect with the correct ICAO code for the aircraft you are flying. The system will find the closest match from the models which are known to be available in the library.

[Nelson L.]

The system will find the closest match from the models which are known to be available in the library.

This is why I don't do programming..... Is it sorted based on manufacturer, # of engines, model, or what?

[Keith Smith]

All those things. Actually, more to do with number of engines, type of engines and size.

[Bidimus]

Very interesting. I think I'll have to get my buddy to sign on with me and try out a few odd ball airplane just to see what comes up. Could be a laugh.

[Ryan B]

Thanks guys. I had no idea that IRL aircraft were radar identifiable without a transponder.

This is not what SCT (socal tracon) sees as they use much better stuff than we have... but we have an ASR 8 at work and the circled items are primary targets... and there's methods to identify and provide radar advisories to these aircraft.

So if you're flying along and your xpndr is OFF the controller will see something like this on their scope (the newer scopes are STARS and the targets will be blue instead of green)