VNAS Automatic Beacon Code Assignment
This change, effective immediately, is targeted to modify ARTCC policy.
The purpose of this Mandatory Briefing Item is to clarify the procedures around the vNAS rollout live as of 12/19/2022.
Background
To prepare for the transition to the new vNAS system and future release of CRC, automatic beacon code allocation has been enabled on the live and sweatbox servers. This means that all flight plans departing NAS airports will automatically receive a beacon code according to National Beacon Code Allocation Plan.
We'd like you to note that this change does have the potential to alter controller workflow, as some controllers rely on the presence of a beacon code in a flight plan to signify that an aircraft has received a clearance. This process will no longer work, and we encourage you to use other means such as flight strip annotations, scratchpad entries, and/or data block positioning to signify that a clearance has been issued. Since every flight plan originating in the US will be assigned a squawk code automatically, it is no longer necessary to assign new squawk codes as a method of radar identification (such as an uncontrolled field departure or an aircraft entering the airspace) if no existing code duplication errors exist.
What This Means for You
The vNAS server will assign squawk codes that are outside of the squawk code banks in our SOPs. This is expected behavior, and you should not override these codes.
Controlling a Cab Position
- IFR departures will already have a beacon code assigned to them when they connect. You should not use the "assign squawk" button.
- VFR aircraft will not have a beacon code assigned automatically, you should still assign VFR codes as before.
Controlling a Radar Position
- IFR aircraft arriving from a domestic airport will already have a beacon code assigned to them. You should not assign a new code to them unless there is a duplicate beacon.
- IFR aircraft arriving from outside of the US will not have a beacon code assigned automatically. For these aircraft, you should assign a squawk code using your ATC client as before.