All planes are under air traffic control. All legal aircraft are required to carry a transponder. When aircraft are flying VFR (visual flight rules) they all squawk "1200". This still broadcasts the aircraft's location. If/when VFR is not allowed (bad weather, night time, etc.) then IFR (instrument flight rules) must be followed. Also, aircraft that fly over 10,000 feet must follow IFR. So most of the time, during the day and in good weather, small private aircraft, like a Cessna 172 Skyhawk will squawk 1200.
All other aircraft, including aircraft that file flight plans, are issued a squawk code. This is usually done prior to departure but smaller airports don't have the ability to issue IFR clearances so the planes have to wait until they are airborne and handed off to ATC to pickup their IFR clearance, at such time they will be assigned a squawk code.
ATC then plugs in the aircraft type and tail number into their system to make them easier to recognize.
Long answer for a simple question but I can understand if you've never flown an aircraft.
And just as a follow up (if you care), aircraft are not allowed to fly faster than 250 kts below 10,000 feet. This is why you will sometimes see planes descending and will pause just above 10,000 ft to bleed off speed before continuing.
Most of us who’ve never flown might not know a lot, but we at least know this rule doesn’t really apply if and when a commander happens to be drinking coffee in the control tower.
All planes are under air traffic control. All legal aircraft are required to carry a transponder. When aircraft are flying VFR (visual flight rules) they all squawk "1200". This still broadcasts the aircraft's location. If/when VFR is not allowed (bad weather, night time, etc.) then IFR (instrument flight rules) must be followed. Also, aircraft that fly over 10,000 feet must follow IFR. So most of the time, during the day and in good weather, small private aircraft, like a Cessna 172 Skyhawk will squawk 1200.
All other aircraft, including aircraft that file flight plans, are issued a squawk code. This is usually done prior to departure but smaller airports don't have the ability to issue IFR clearances so the planes have to wait until they are airborne and handed off to ATC to pickup their IFR clearance, at such time they will be assigned a squawk code.
ATC then plugs in the aircraft type and tail number into their system to make them easier to recognize.
Long answer for a simple question but I can understand if you've never flown an aircraft.
And just as a follow up (if you care), aircraft are not allowed to fly faster than 250 kts below 10,000 feet. This is why you will sometimes see planes descending and will pause just above 10,000 ft to bleed off speed before continuing.
Most of us who’ve never flown might not know a lot, but we at least know this rule doesn’t really apply if and when a commander happens to be drinking coffee in the control tower.