For SSR transponder mode/code acknowledgment, what is required of pilots?

• A. Use the word ROGER
• B. Use the word WILCO
• C. Read back the mode and code to be set
• D. Read back the code to be set and SQUAWK IDENT

Answer: (C)

Reading back the assigned transponder mode and code is what ensures both you and ATC are synchronized on how your radar beacon will be identified. When ATC assigns a squawk code, you confirm by repeating the exact mode and four-digit code so the controller can verify there’s no mishearing of digits or a mismatch in the intended surveillance settings. This clear readback helps prevent misidentification and ensures your aircraft appears correctly on radar with the right reporting capabilities.

If you only say you’ve received the message, that doesn’t confirm the exact settings. Saying you will comply doesn’t prove you’ve understood or will set the right code. The squawk IDENT request is a separate procedure used to temporarily highlight your blip for radar tracking, not the standard acknowledgment of an assigned code.