staff@slashgear.com (Rafael Motamayor)
2024-06-01 22:15:32
www.slashgear.com
The term “squawk” comes from World War II, when basic systems were developed to allow an aircraft to identify itself to ground controllers so they’d know if it was friend or foe. Over time, this system was code-named “Parrot,” with “squawk” being the term for the communication between them.
Though there are dozens of transport codes, only three squawk codes are used for emergencies and are recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This includes code 7700, as well as code 7500, which is used to indicate an aircraft being hijacked, while code 7600 indicates a loss of communication between the aircraft and ATC. It should be noted that squawk codes are conveyed through a transponder and are used mostly for situations where communication is unreliable or unavailable. Even in these emergency situations, there are light signal backups to communicate basic instructions.
As a passenger, you won’t really notice when a Squawk Code 7700 is sent, as it is exclusively a medium of communication between aircraft and Air Traffic Control. Nevertheless, it is good to know that even in cases when an aircraft sends such a note, it isn’t necessarily a sign to worry right away.
