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Squawk code · vfr

Squawk 1200: VFR (United States)

Squawk 1200 is the default transponder code for VFR flights in the US that have not been given a code by ATC.

Squawk 1200 is the US code for a VFR aircraft that is not talking to air traffic control. It is the most common squawk on light aircraft, helicopters and many weekend flights, and it means nothing is wrong.

What 1200 means

Under visual flight rules (VFR), pilots navigate by looking outside and are responsible for their own separation from other aircraft. In much of US airspace they do not need a clearance or radio contact. The FAA's AIM (4-1-20) tells these pilots to set their transponder to 1200 when they have not been assigned another code. In Canada the VFR code is also 1200; in most of Europe and many other ICAO states it is 7000.

A 1200 code tells controllers "this is a VFR aircraft I am not working." They still see it on radar with its altitude, so they can point it out to airliners and other traffic, and they can provide traffic advisories to pilots who ask.

Who squawks 1200

  • Training flights in aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee.
  • Private pilots flying for fun, sightseeing or short trips in aircraft like the Cirrus SR22.
  • Many helicopters, including tour, utility and some news aircraft. See helicopters now.
  • Aircraft towing banners, doing pipeline patrol, or surveying.

How 1200 appears on heywhatsflying

On a typical afternoon, a large share of the low-altitude targets in our altitude chart, especially in the 0 to 10,000 ft band, are 1200 squawks. The numbers rise sharply on clear weekend days and fall at night and in bad weather. To read the rest of a light aircraft's data, see how to read flight data.

Related US VFR codes

The FAA reserves a few other codes for specific VFR activity: 1202 for gliders not in contact with ATC, 1255 for firefighting aircraft and 1277 for search and rescue. See the full squawk code index.

Common myths

  • "1200 aircraft are invisible to ATC." No. They show on radar with altitude; they simply are not receiving instructions.
  • "VFR means no rules." VFR pilots must follow airspace rules, weather minimums and right-of-way rules, and must get clearance before entering Class B airspace.

Questions

What does squawk 1200 mean?

It is the standard US code for an aircraft flying under visual flight rules that has not been assigned a code by air traffic control. It does not indicate any problem.

Is 1200 used outside the US?

Canada also uses 1200 for VFR. Most of Europe and many other countries use 7000 for VFR flights instead.