Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 18 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 October 2004. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what exemptions he will be introducing to the mandatory installation of Mode 5 transponders in aircraft; and if he will make a statement. - Inc ref to Eurocontrol website www.eurocontrol.int/mode_s.

Answer: Lembit Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what exemptions he will be introducing to the mandatory installation of Mode 5 transponders in aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [193032] Charlotte Atkins: Legislation to require the carriage of Mode S transponders in aircraft will be introduced in 2 phases. The first of these will take effect from 31 March 2005 and will apply only to aircraft with a take off mass of more than 5,700kgs and a maximum cruising true airspeed of more than 250 knots that fly under Instrument Flight Rules. This does not include the majority of General Aviation aircraft. Exemptions to the carriage requirements are permitted for certain technical reasons and for those aircraft that infrequently operate under Instrument Flight Rules. The full details of the exemption criteria are available on the Eurocontrol website www.eurocontrol.int/mode s. The second phase of Mode S introduction is expected to take effect on 31 March 2008. The details of the widened mandate and the associated exemption policy have not yet been decided. The Civil Aviation Authority will conduct a wide-ranging consultation on these issues commencing next year.

Secondary information