Equipment code for flight following

[BryanLight]

Hey all. Just curious if there's a simple list somewhere of common equipment codes for the occasional time controllers ask for it. Better yet, anybody able to tell me what mine would be for my 61 C model? I've got a mode-c transponder, 2 vors, 1 glideslope, garmin 496. i have no idea. any help appreciated. thank you.

[TWinter]

I think the reply of "Slant Uniform w/ GPS capability" would work for you..

 

-Tom

[mooniac15u]

Not sure if you were also asking about the type designator. For all normally aspirated Mooneys* it is "M20P".

*edit: except Mites and Cadets

[bradp]

I don't think there is a regulatory requirement to be slant anything as a VFR flight with flight follwing.  Unless being vectored in a class B airspace where it would be helpful to the controllers to know if you can go "direct LIMMA" for a visual overflying the LOC at KLAX or something.  

For IFR purposes you are "slant Uniform" as Tom indicated.   There are a few articles popping around about folks using the cover of radar vectors to navigate when IFR to direct a fix using a handheld GPS.

http://www.flyingmag.com/technique/tip-week/it-permissible-use-vfr-only-gps-while-flying-ifr

-B

[N201MKTurbo]

7 minutes ago, bradp said:

 There are a few articles popping around about folks using the cover of radar vectors to navigate when IFR to direct a fix using a handheld GPS.

It has worked for me for years. It is also legal to navigate by ded reckoning.

The GPS is a nice cross check to your ded reckoning...

[Hank]

Just now, N201MKTurbo said:

It has worked for me for years. It is also legal to navigate by ded reckoning.

The GPS is a nice cross check to your ded reckoning...

Yep. I went straight line by dead reckoning on my student XCs, armed with 2 com, 2 nav, 2 VORs and a DME. But I had that line drawn on the sectional with way points marked and timed. That still works without timing when I take my data card home to update and forget it . . . Who flies VOR to VOR? I never have. 

[PTK]

I think the corresponding ICAO for the domestic /U would be SV/C. This is more descriptive to ATC. 

[N201MKTurbo]

If you are filing a flight plan, just put VFR GPS in the comments.

I can't tell you how many times ATC has asked if I could navigate to some far away waypoint and I say yes. They didn't ask how and I didn't say.

If my GPS(s) were to all fail I would call them and say that my GPS quit and I need a vector.

I don't think there are any ATC folks out there who would bust you for using a VFR GPS to assist with your navigation. As long as you file for the legal equipment you have, there shouldn't be a problem. I have had them ask me on the radio if I was /G? I always tell them "NO, but I have a GPS on board". I have had a few at that point say "Ok you are /G" Who am I to argue? If they pull the tapes I win.

[M20F]

If you are VFR you can use a car GPS if you want.  The controller just asks for equipment to get you in the system so I would just use /U.  How you get from point A to B they don't really care nor is there really anything regulatory on the matter.  IFR obviously is a different animal. 

[Marauder]

12 hours ago, M20F said:

If you are VFR you can use a car GPS if you want.  The controller just asks for equipment to get you in the system so I would just use /U.  How you get from point A to B they don't really care nor is there really anything regulatory on the matter.  IFR obviously is a different animal. 

For years I flew IFR as a /A. I would enter "VFR GPS onboard" in the remarks section of the IFR flight plan. I found if I was in radar coverage (which is most of the eastern U.S.) I would sometimes get the controller to give me a "fly heading 320, proceed direct XXX". Where the VOR XXX was located far beyond its service limit. They knew what I was navigating by and the RV with radar coverage allowed them to do it. They just wanted the flib out of their sector