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Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ)

Posted: Tue 2. May 2017, 08:11
by klaustepper
New rules in Germany, Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ)

On the German VFR map there are some Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ) as from March 30, 2017, for example: TMZ code 6104, plus the name and frequency of the ATC. One is then subjected to a very urgent advice (more or less a requirement) to set the transponder at 6104 (and not the standard 7000 code), to listen out ATC at the specified frequency. The United Kingdom used this method for several years.

There is almost always a class E area involved, surrounding or adjacent to an airport where IFR traffic lands and leaves. In case of danger ATC from a nearby field can call the VFR traffic. Usually VFR traffic is listening but not on the frequency of the nearby field. Therefore all VFR traffic in the relevant TMZ is now asked urgently to select the specified frequency and is given already in advance the transponder code.

The new method is referred to as "TMZ with air-ground voice communication watch".

One is not meant to call ATC (causes unnecessary workload). The selection of the transponder code specified on the card is sufficient and allows ATC to know the whereabouts of the plane that if necessary, can be called up.

If one is in contact with a Flight Information Service for example Langen info, the advice is to report that one is leaving the frequency for Langen Radar for crossing let’s say TMZ Münster. It may then be that the controller responds that there is no need to change.

Upon leaving the TMZ one switches back to the previous frequency, either to 7000 or to the code that has previously been received from the Flight Info Service (FIS).

The details can be read in AIC AIP, VFR 01/17 16 MAR 2017:

1. In Germany, transponder mandatory zones (TMZ) surround individual airports to Increase the protection or IFR arrivals / departures from unknown VFR flights in thesis areas (airspace class E). Although the air navigation services receive information (aircraft identification, position and altitude) about VFR aircraft flying in the TMZ, it is gene rally not possible to establishement contact with an individual VFR aircraft, e.g. in the case of a potential conflict with an IFR aircraft. In light of this, the concept of "TMZ with air-ground voice communication watch" has been developed to increasement air safety.

2. TMZ with air-ground voice communication watch. Unlike a radio mandatory zone (RMZ) where VFR all pilots are required to report to ATC before entering the airspace, the "TMZ with air-ground voice communication watch" does not require pilots to Actively establishement radio contact. The urgent recommendation Is that pilots select the (responsible air traffic controller's) frequency published for the relevant TMZ in the chart ICAO 1: 500 000 When entering the TMZ and maintain listening watch. Air-ground voice communication watch Allows controllers to providence information about IFR aircraft taking off or landing to all VFR pilots listening to the frequency, eg by Means of a broadcast, or to directly address an individual VFR aircraft in the case of a potential conflict and to providence advice. The controller shouldering be aware of the pilot's air-ground communication watch. The following supplementary regulation supports this: In Addition to the "frequency monitor", a special "listening squawk" (frequency monitoring code) will be published for every TMZ. When VFR pilots set this code, They indicate thatthey are Maintaining air-ground voice communication watch on the respective frequency and can be Addressed directly, if necessary. Contact Shall be established by the air traffic controller. Radio communication itself May be Conducted in German.

After leaving the TMZ and the correspondance thing radio frequency, the transponder shall be Reset to Code 7000

3. This recommendation is scheduled to be Implemented on MAR 30, 2017. All TMZs established in Germany (see below) will be shown on the chart ICAO 1: 500 000 With Their respective transponder code and associated frequency monitor. - Dortmund - Friedrichshafen - Hahn - Hamburg (up to FL 100) - Hanover (up to FL 100) - Luxembourg - Memmingen - Muenster-Osnabrueck - Niederrhein - Nürnberg (up to FL 100) - Paderborn - Saarbruecken