Which statement about 'Squawk Charlie' is correct?

Which statement about 'Squawk Charlie' is correct?

• A. Set transponder to Mode C
• B. Press Ident
• C. Set transponder to STANDBY
• D. Set transponder to Mode A

Answer: (A)

Squawk Charlie is about providing altitude information to ATC. The transponder can operate in different modes: Mode A only sends an identification code, while Mode C adds altitude data to the radar return. When ATC uses the term squawk with a Charlie, they’re asking you to enable altitude reporting so they can see your altitude on their radar screen. That’s why the correct action is to set the transponder to Mode C. Pressing Ident just triggers a radar identification pulse to highlight the aircraft on radar, but it doesn’t ensure altitude data is being transmitted. Setting the transponder to STANDBY stops replies to radar, which defeats the purpose. Setting to Mode A would disable altitude reporting, which is not what squawking Charlie requires.

Squawk Charlie is about providing altitude information to ATC. The transponder can operate in different modes: Mode A only sends an identification code, while Mode C adds altitude data to the radar return. When ATC uses the term squawk with a Charlie, they’re asking you to enable altitude reporting so they can see your altitude on their radar screen. That’s why the correct action is to set the transponder to Mode C.

Pressing Ident just triggers a radar identification pulse to highlight the aircraft on radar, but it doesn’t ensure altitude data is being transmitted. Setting the transponder to STANDBY stops replies to radar, which defeats the purpose. Setting to Mode A would disable altitude reporting, which is not what squawking Charlie requires.