Automated Radar Tracking and Automated Communication???

Lndwarrior

Lndwarrior

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So I'm flying a few miles north of Concord Airport (CCR) today skirting the edge of the control zone. I tune into the ATIS to get the altimeter setting and I hear a weird comment. WTF?

I listen again - the ATIS recording gives all the normal stuff - wind, sky, altimeter and current ATIS letter. It also explains that transient parking is closed and one runway and a bunch of taxi-ways are closed. I think the tower was closed as well.

And then it says, "Aircraft north of the airport at 300 feet agl (I was crossing a ridge) verify you have the current ATIS." HUH?

So I listen to the ATIS again, "Aircraft north of the airport at 500 feet agl verify you have the current ATIS." Is this automated voice actually talking to me???

It happened a third time each time identifying my different height above ground (I was changing altitudes throughout this time).

I came to the conclusion that, yes, this was me the automated voice was talking to.

So the system was tracking me on radar (I did not have my ADSB on, and I have no transponder) and electronically deciding to tell me to verify I had the ATIS.

I had no intention of landing at Concord, I was just passing by. I guess they have some new technology I've never heard of. Felt kind of big brotherish...
 
Well this may be the solution to the handheld radio or the lack there of problem
 
i wonder if it won't be too many more years before they automate things like clearance delivery, altimeter settings, etc.... I see that we already have radios that identify the morse code identifies on nav aids
 
Lndwarrior said:
So I'm flying a few miles north of Concord Airport (CCR) today skirting the edge of the control zone. I tune into the ATIS to get the altimeter setting and I hear a weird comment. WTF?

I listen again - the ATIS recording gives all the normal stuff - wind, sky, altimeter and current ATIS letter. It also explains that transient parking is closed and one runway and a bunch of taxi-ways are closed. I think the tower was closed as well.

And then it says, "Aircraft north of the airport at 300 feet agl (I was crossing a ridge) verify you have the current ATIS." HUH?

So I listen to the ATIS again, "Aircraft north of the airport at 500 feet agl verify you have the current ATIS." Is this automated voice actually talking to me???

It happened a third time each time identifying my different height above ground (I was changing altitudes throughout this time).

I came to the conclusion that, yes, this was me the automated voice was talking to.

So the system was tracking me on radar (I did not have my ADSB on, and I have no transponder) and electronically deciding to tell me to verify I had the ATIS.

I had no intention of landing at Concord, I was just passing by. I guess they have some new technology I've never heard of. Felt kind of big brotherish...
Click to expand...
I thought turning off ADS-B or transponder was against regs? Just curious.

But yeah, automated is inevitable. And likely will be adopted faster aften COVID-19 shutdown enough traffic that it can be tested with lower traffic volume. Lower quantity will give them more time to work out the kinks.

Tim

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
 
tspear said:
I thought turning off ADS-B or transponder was against regs? Just curious.

But yeah, automated is inevitable. And likely will be adopted faster aften COVID-19 shutdown enough traffic that it can be tested with lower traffic volume. Lower quantity will give them more time to work out the kinks.

Tim

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I don't have a transponder and I don't have adsb out (in only, so my original post was a little misleading).
 
I’ll be doing a short XC (Livermore to Petaluma and back) Friday. Will be going right past CCR. Will have to remember to dial it in.
 
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