Must the pilot press the IDT button on the RMU for the transponder to reply to a Mode A interrogation signal?

Must the pilot press the IDT button on the RMU for the transponder to reply to a Mode A interrogation signal?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer: (B)

The statement is false because the transponder in the T-6 operates in such a way that it is designed to automatically respond to Mode A interrogation signals without any action required from the pilot, such as pressing the IDT button. The IDT (Identification) button is utilized for a different purpose—it is used to activate the transponder's identification feature, which is part of the Mode S interrogation. This allows air traffic control to easily identify the aircraft among others. Therefore, for the transponder to reply to a Mode A signal, it does not require the pilot to engage the IDT button, making the answer false.

The statement is false because the transponder in the T-6 operates in such a way that it is designed to automatically respond to Mode A interrogation signals without any action required from the pilot, such as pressing the IDT button. The IDT (Identification) button is utilized for a different purpose—it is used to activate the transponder's identification feature, which is part of the Mode S interrogation. This allows air traffic control to easily identify the aircraft among others. Therefore, for the transponder to reply to a Mode A signal, it does not require the pilot to engage the IDT button, making the answer false.