Emergency Transponder Squawk Codes

by Jason Schappert

One of the biggest falters in emergencies is the pilots failure to properly communicate the emergency. Knowing the emergency transponder squawk codes can help ATC evaluate your situation and notify help sooner or aid in getting you to the nearest airport.

Below are the 3 squawk codes every pilot should commit to memory:

7500 – Hijack
7600 – Lost Comm (radio failure)
7700 – Emergency

An easy way to remember this: 75 taken alive, 76 technical glitch, 77 going to heaven.

About the Author

Jason Schappert is an avid aviation enthusiast and upcoming industry leader. Jason was named AOPA’s number one collegiate flight instructor in 2008 and plays an intricate role in helping youth get involved in aviation through his Future Pilot Flight Academy programs.

My Favorite Posts

Share and Enjoy:

Tagged as: Flight Training

Grant

Wow, I love your reminder! That's freaking awesome! (For those of us who are going to Heaven).

Jason Schappert

Leave it to pat to come up with the unthinkable! haha!

Albert, Great addition!! I always love hearing how other people remember and learn things!

-Jason

Albert

Great blog with lots of useful and interesting information thanks.
My instructor taught me "ICE" for transponder codes.
In Case of an Emergency - ICE
I - Interference (someone interferes that is Hijack - 7500
C - Communications problems - 7600
E - Emergency - 7700

I guess it is important to use what works for you.
Cheers
Al

Patrick Flannigan

Always a good reminder. You're memory aid is sure a lot better than my method. "75 guys hijack an airplane, then they destroy the radios, now you've got a real emergency!" *shrugs*