Private Pilot Private Exam

What is the proper response to a radar service termination announcement when departing Class C airspace?

1. Continue with current code

2. Change to squawk 7500

3. Set transponder to code 1200

4. Request flight following

The correct answer is: Set transponder to code 1200

The proper response to a radar service termination announcement when departing Class C airspace is to set the transponder to code 1200. This code signifies that the aircraft is transitioning from a radar environment to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. When departing Class C airspace, you are no longer under the radar service provided by ATC, so it is important to switch your transponder to this code to indicate your change in status to both ATC and surrounding traffic. Setting your transponder to 1200 allows you to operate under VFR and avoids confusion about your flight’s radar coverage. It also enables other aircraft and ATC to identify you easily as a VFR flight. Maintaining the current code or changing to squawk 7500, which is used to indicate a hijacking, would not be appropriate in this situation as it does not reflect your intention of transitioning back to VFR. Requesting flight following is also not necessary at this point since you are exiting Class C airspace and may not require continued radar service.