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Beacon/Ads-B Identification Methods

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

When using only Mode 3/A radar beacon or ADS-B to identify a target, use one of the following methods:

  1. Request the pilot to activate the “IDENT” feature of the transponder/ADS-B and then observe the identification display.
  2. Request the pilot to change to a specific discrete or nondiscrete code, as appropriate, and then observe the target or code display change. If a code change is required in accordance with Section 2, Beacon/ADS-B Systems, of this chapter, use the codes specified therein.
  3. Request the pilot to change their transponder/ADS-B to “standby.” After you observe the target disappear for sufficient scans to assure that loss of target resulted from placing the transponder/ADS-B in “standby” position, request the pilot to return the transponder to normal operation and then observe the reappearance of the target.
  4. EN ROUTE. An aircraft may be considered identified when the full data block is automatically associated with the target symbol of an aircraft that is squawking a discrete code assigned by the computer.