Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System Transponder Performance Study and Analysis. Volume 1. Transponder Test Methodology Results, Analysis, and Recommendations

摘要

This report contains the description and results of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) Transponder Study and Analysis. This study represents a two year effort consisting of testing, data collection, and analysis of air carrier, military, and a detailed analysis of general aviation transponder performance. The ATCRBS Analysis Team developed a comprehensive test plan which included a validation flight test program, an evaluation of transponder maintenance and calibration programs, and a detailed analysis of general aviation transponder performance. The study was concentrated in the Atlanta, Georgia area. However, data was collected from many parts of the country. The Mobile Transponder Performance Analyzer (MTPA), developed by the FAA Technical Center, was dispatched to field locations in order to suport the data collection and analysis tasks. This effort resulted in identifying a trend of problems associated with the general aviation transponder.