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Aviation vocabulary · Air Traffic Control & Radiotelephony

Squawk

Meaning in aviation, with examples

/skwɔːk/verbCore term

In aviation, squawk means: To set a four-digit code on the aircraft's transponder so that controllers can identify it on radar. As a noun, the code itself.

In Turkish: transponder kodu girmek, squawk etmek

How it is used

Controllers say 'squawk 4721' or 'squawk ident'. Three codes have fixed meanings worldwide: 7500 for unlawful interference (hijacking), 7600 for radio failure and 7700 for an emergency.

Example sentences

  1. Fastair 345, squawk 4721.

  2. During the emergency we squawked 7700 and declared a Mayday.

Common collocations

  • squawk ident
  • squawk code
  • squawk 7700
  • reset squawk
  • squawk standby
  • transponderA radio device on the aircraft that answers signals from ATC radar by sending back a code and, usually, the aircraft's altitude and identity.
  • MaydayThe international radio distress call, used when an aircraft or ship is in grave and immediate danger and needs help at once. It is said three times.
  • air traffic controlThe service that guides aircraft on the ground and in the air to keep them safely apart and moving in an orderly way. Controllers give instructions and clearances by radio.
  • readbackRepeating an ATC clearance or instruction back to the controller, so that the controller can confirm it was heard and understood correctly.

More terms: Air Traffic Control & Radiotelephony

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