5-2-7

VFR Code Assignments

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

For VFR aircraft receiving radar advisories, issue a computer-assigned beacon code.
1. If the aircraft is outside of your area of responsibility and an operational benefit will be gained by retaining the aircraft on your frequency for the purpose of providing services, ensure that coordination has been effected:
  1. As soon as possible after positive identification, and
  2. Prior to issuing a control instruction or providing a service other than a safety alert/traffic advisory.
    Note
    
    Safety alerts/traffic advisories may be issued to an aircraft prior to coordination if an imminent situation may be averted by such action. Coordination should be effected as soon as possible thereafter.
Instruct an IFR aircraft that cancels its IFR flight plan and is not requesting radar advisory service, or a VFR aircraft for which radar advisory service is being terminated, to squawk VFR.
Phraseology

SQUAWK VFR.
or
SQUAWK 1200.
Note
1. Aircraft not in contact with ATC may squawk
2. in lieu of
3. while en route to/from or within designated firefighting areas.
4. VFR aircraft that fly authorized SAR missions for the USAF or USCG may be advised to squawk
5. in lieu of
6. while en route to/from or within the designated search area.
7. VFR gliders should squawk
8. in lieu of
9. Gliders operate under some flight and maneuvering limitations. They may go from essentially stationary targets while climbing and thermaling to moving targets very quickly. They can be expected to make radical changes in flight direction to find lift and cannot hold altitude in a response to an ATC request. Gliders may congregate together for short periods of time to climb together in thermals and may cruise together in loose formations while traveling between thermals.
10. The lead aircraft in a standard VFR formation flight not in contact with ATC should squawk 1203 in lieu of 1200. All other aircraft in the formation should squawk standby.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.66, National Beacon Code Allocation Plan.
When an aircraft changes from VFR to IFR, assign a beacon code to Mode C equipped aircraft that will allow MSAW alarms.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-3-3, Beacon/ADS-B Identification Methods.