Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

What does the transponder code 7600 signify?

1. Technical difficulties

2. General emergency

3. Medical assistance needed

4. Unauthorized access

The correct answer is: General emergency

The transponder code 7600 is utilized in aviation to indicate a loss of communication. This code is specifically designated for situations where an aircraft is unable to establish radio contact with air traffic control. When a pilot activates the 7600 transponder code, it alerts air traffic controllers that the aircraft is experiencing communication difficulties. In aviation emergency protocols, the declaration of a general emergency includes a loss of communication, which may prevent the pilot from receiving essential instructions or information, particularly in complex or congested airspace. Therefore, the use of code 7600 is recognized as a call for attention, hence falling under the broader category of a "general emergency" as it signals the necessity for heightened awareness and potential assistance from other aircraft or ground control. This context clarifies why the designation of code 7600 directly aligns with signaling a general emergency rather than the other options presented.