Automatic track initiation may occur for aircraft with which combination?

Automatic track initiation may occur for aircraft with which combination?

• A. Stored Flight Plan only
• B. Discrete Beacon Code only
• C. Stored Flight Plan and Discrete Beacon Code
• D. Neither

Answer: (C)

Automatic track initiation relies on having reliable identity information from multiple sources so the system can confidently link what it sees on radar with a specific flight. When an aircraft has both a stored flight plan and a discrete beacon code, the automation has two solid anchors: the flight plan provides the intended identity and route, and the discrete beacon code provides the unique transponder identity. With both in hand, the system can automatically create and maintain a track as the aircraft enters the airspace. If only one source is available, automatic initiation becomes unreliable. A stored flight plan alone doesn’t prove the live transponder identity, and a discrete beacon code alone doesn’t tie the target to a specific filed flight. So automatic track initiation typically requires the combination of both.

Automatic track initiation relies on having reliable identity information from multiple sources so the system can confidently link what it sees on radar with a specific flight. When an aircraft has both a stored flight plan and a discrete beacon code, the automation has two solid anchors: the flight plan provides the intended identity and route, and the discrete beacon code provides the unique transponder identity. With both in hand, the system can automatically create and maintain a track as the aircraft enters the airspace.

If only one source is available, automatic initiation becomes unreliable. A stored flight plan alone doesn’t prove the live transponder identity, and a discrete beacon code alone doesn’t tie the target to a specific filed flight. So automatic track initiation typically requires the combination of both.