EASA Safety Information Bulletin Information Bulletin: EASA SIB No: 2011-15 EASA SIB No: 2011-15

EASA SIB No: 2011-13
EASA Safety Information Bulletin
SIB No.: 2011-13
Issued: 04 July 2011
Subject: Mode S Transponder – Loss of Detection (Complete or

Intermittent) of Aircraft by Mode S Interrogators
Ref. Publications: EASA SIB No: 2011-15 - Mode S Transponder: Ground Testing
Applicability: All owners and operators of aircraft having SSR Mode S

transponders installed.
Mode S transponders are known to be installed on, but not
limited to, aircraft certificated under (FAR, JAR, CS) Part 22, 23,
25, 27, 29, 31HB, VLA or VLR.
Description: The Mode-S Airborne Monitoring Project (AMP), which is

coordinated by Eurocontrol, has identified a significant number
of events involving aircraft equipped with certified Mode S SSR
transponder installations, where complete or intermittent loss of
detection by Mode-S SSR interrogators was experienced.
Investigations have revealed that the majority of these
occurrences were due to installation deficiencies, poor and/or
incorrect maintenance practices, or individual equipment
failures.
At this time, the airworthiness concern described in this SIB is
not considered to be an unsafe condition that would warrant
Airworthiness Directive (AD) action under EC 1702/2003, Part
21A.3B.
Nevertheless, a potentially hazardous situation can arise when
a faulty SSR Mode S transponder does not respond correctly to
SSR Mode S interrogations. Such interrogations can originate
from Mode S ground stations and from other airborne aircraft,
e.g. from an Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS):
 An aircraft with a faulty Mode S transponder may not be
‘visible’, or may be ‘visible’ intermittently, to Air Traffic
Control (ATC). This compromises the provision of
traffic separation and sequencing and could prevent or
delay the application of avoiding action or the delivery of
essential navigational assistance.
This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

EASA Form 117 Page 1/3
 An aircraft with a faulty Mode S transponder may not be

‘visible’, or may be ‘visible’ intermittently, to aircraft
operating ACAS equipment. This degrades, or totally
disables, the collision avoidance function, as no
resolution advisory (RA) or traffic advisory (TA) alerts
will be generated by the aircraft.
Recommendations: If you become aware, or are notified, of a transponder

deficiency affecting your aircraft, EASA recommends that you
initiate an unscheduled maintenance action to arrange for any
deficiencies to be corrected, at the earliest opportunity.
Guidance for the ground testing of transponders can be found in
Appendix 1 of this SIB.
Contacts: For further information contact the Safety Information Section,

Executive Directorate, EASA; E-mail: [email protected].

Appendix 1 - Transponder Ground Testing Guidance
a. When not required, ensure all transponders are selected to ‘OFF’ or ‘Standby’.
b. Before starting any test, contact the local Air Traffic Control Unit and advise them of your
intention to conduct transponder testing. Advise the Air Traffic Unit of your start time and
test duration. Also inform them of the altitude(s) at which you will be testing, your
intended Aircraft Identification (Flight Id) and your intended Mode A code. See para c
and d. Note: Certain altitudes may not be possible due to over flying aircraft.
c. Set the Mode A code to 7776 (or other Mode A code agreed with Air Traffic Control
Unit). Note: The Mode A code 7776 is assigned as a test code by the ORCAM Users
Group, specifically for the testing of transponders.
d. Set the Aircraft Identification (Flight Id) with the first 8 characters of the company name.
This is the name of the company conducting the tests.
e. Set the on-the-ground status for all Mode S replies, except when an airborne reply is
required (e.g. for altitude testing).
f. Where possible, perform the testing inside a hanger to take advantage of any shielding
properties it may provide.
g. As a precaution, use antenna transmission covers whether or not testing is performed
inside or outside.
h. When testing the altitude (Mode C or S) parameter, radiate directly into the ramp test set
via the prescribed attenuator.
i. In between testing, i.e. to transition from one altitude to another, select the transponder
to ‘standby’ mode.
j. If testing transponder parameters other than ‘altitude’, set altitude to -1000 feet (minus
1000 feet), or over 60000 feet. This will minimise the possibility of ACAS warning to
airfield and overflying aircraft.
k. When testing is complete select the transponder(s) to ‘OFF’ or ‘Standby’.


EASA Safety Information Bulletin Information Bulletin: EASA SIB No: 2011-15 EASA SIB No: 2011-15

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EASA SIB No: 2011-13

EASA Safety Information Bulletin

SIB No.: 2011-13

Issued: 04 July 2011

Subject: Mode S Transponder – Loss of Detection (Complete or

Applicability: All owners and operators of aircraft having SSR Mode S

Description: The Mode-S Airborne Monitoring Project (AMP), which is

This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

 An aircraft with a faulty Mode S transponder may not be

Recommendations: If you become aware, or are notified, of a transponder

Contacts: For further information contact the Safety Information Section,

This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Appendix 1 - Transponder Ground Testing Guidance

This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

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