Squawk codes 7500/7600/7700

Equipment

The three special transponder codes that alert ATC without a word on the radio:

  • 7500: unlawful interference (hijacking)
  • 7600: radio communication failure
  • 7700: general emergency

Setting one makes your label stand out on every radar screen that sees you. Use 7700 with a Mayday, 7600 when you lose two-way radio contact, and 7500 only for unlawful interference; if you set it by mistake, ATC will ask you to confirm. Memory aid: “seven-five, man with a knife; seven-six, radio fix; seven-seven, going to heaven”.

Also known as

7500emergency codeshijack code

See also

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