ORDER
7110.49D
2/22/80
Initiated
by: AAT-320
SUBJECT: UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE - HIJACK/BOMB (THREAT) ABOARD
AIRCRAFT - PROCEDURES AND COVERT SIGNALS
1. PURPOSE. This order prescribes the signals which may be used
by pilots experiencing certain types of unlawful interference
(i.e., hijack/bomb [threat] aboard) to make their situation known
to air traffic control (ATC) and outlines the required
dissemination of these signals to pilots who may have a need for
the information.
2. DISTRIBUTION. This order is distributed to Branch level and
above in Washington Air Traffic, Flight Operations, and Civil
Aviation Security; to Branch level and above in Regional Air
Traffic, Flight Standards, and Air Transportation Security
Divisions; to all supervisors in the regional Communications
Control Center; to all Air Traffic Field Offices, General
Aviation, Air Carrier, and Flight Standards District Offices,
Aeronautical Quality Assurance Field Offices, and Flight
Standards International Field Offices; and Air Transportation
Security Field Offices.
3. CANCELLATION. Order 7110.49C, Unlawful Interference -
Hijack/Bomb (Threat) Aboard Aircraft - Procedures and Covert
Signals, is canceled.
4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This order is effective May 1, 1980.
5. GENERAL. The material contained herein, while not considered
national security information requiring classification, shall be
handled as privileged information and shall be disseminated to
operators and ATC specialists on a strict "need-to-know" basis.
LOCAL REPRODUCTION IS NOT AUTHORIZED. The procedures were
developed for covert application solely within U.S. airspace.
Designated representatives of the Department of Justice and
airlines have been made familiar with the procedures and pilot
signals herein. Inquiries regarding information contained herein
from the above sources, as well as those official requests from
International Civil Aviation Organization contracting states,
should be referred to the Director, Air Traffic Service, AAT-1.
6. PROCEDURES.
a. When possible, the pilot of an aircraft experiencing
unlawful interference (i.e., hijack/bomb [threat] aboard) should
transmit a description of the predicament and any requests for
assistance to air traffic control in the clear. Air traffic
controllers shall respond to all requests, comply if possible,
and notify the proper authorities. Circumstances may prevent
radio transmissions in the clear and will necessitate use of
covert signaling either by voice or by transponder when radar
service is available. NOTE: There are areas where radar service
is not available and radio is the only communication method. In
these areas, ATC will advise when radar service is terminated.
The following actions include messages transmitted in the clear
and transmitted covertly either by voice or by transponder
signal.
(1) SITUATION. Am being hijacked/subjected to unlawful
interference.
(a) PILOT MESSAGE (Overt): Same as 6(1) above.
1 When an in-the-clear radio transmission of
unlawful interference is received, controllers shall assign Code
7500 to the aircraft (this does not preclude a subsequent change
to Code 7700 by the pilot, if necessary).
2 When a radio transmission is received indicating
the possibility of unlawful interference without accompanying
Mode 3/A, Code 7500 transmission, controllers shall assign Code
7500 to the aircraft. Should the pilot question such assignment,
or otherwise indicate that a clear condition exists, the
controller can then determine the specific nature of the
situation and be in a better position to make subsequent
judgments regarding the need for notification, clearance and
other actions. Should the pilot acknowledge assignment of Code
7500 without further communication, or fail to acknowledge or
communicate further, the controller shall assume that the flight
is being subjected to unlawful interference and act accordingly.
3 Following initiation of a hijacking, the pilot
may communicate or respond to routine controller transmissions by
using the word "TRIP" following the aircraft designator (Trans
World TRIP 419 or United TRIP 517). This indicates the pilot is
unable to communicate in the clear (the hijacker is probably in
the cockpit). In such cases, the controller should respond using
"TRIP" in the flight designator as in the example above. During
an incident, the Civil Aviation Security Command Center in FAA
Headquarters may request that the controller use the "TRIP"
designator in routine communication with the aircraft as a query
to the pilot whether clear communication is possible. Should
this action result in a response from the pilot that
communication in the clear is possible, the Command Center may
request the controller to pass information to the pilot or
solicit information from the pilot. Should the controller
transmission using "TRIP" result in a pilot response also using
the "TRIP" designator, the controller should limit transmissions
to the aircraft to essential air traffic control functions and
should not communicate with the aircraft about the incident in
progress (reference paragraph 6(1)(a)4 below).
4 When a controller knows or believes that an
aircraft is being subjected to unlawful interference, no
reference shall be made in ATC air-ground communications to the
nature of the emergency unless it has first been referred to in
communications from the aircraft involved or unless the pilot is
transmitting in the clear and it is certain that such reference
will not aggravate the situation.
(b) PILOT SIGNAL (COVERT): Set transponder to Mode
3/A, Code 7500. When unable to change the transponder setting or
when not under radar service, transmit a radio message which
includes the phrase "(aircraft call sign) transponder seven five
zero zero."
1 Controllers shall acknowledge receipt of beacon
Code 7500 by transmitting "(aircraft call sign) (name of
facility) verify squawking 7500." An affirmative reply from the
pilot indicates confirmation and proper authorities shall be
notified by the receiving facility.
2 Should the pilot believe it unwise to use the
phrase "(aircraft call sign) transponder seven five zero zero,"
he may use the "TRIP" designator described in paragraph 6(1)(a)
above. In such cases, the controller should follow the
procedures outlined in paragraph 6(1)(a)3.
3 Controllers shall honor clearance requests
insofar as possible.
(2) SITUATION IN THE AIR: Situation grave; imminent
danger is anticipated; require immediate assistance.
(a) PILOT MESSAGE (Overt): Same as above.
Same as 6(1)(a)1 thru 2 except Code 7700 should
be assigned.
(b) PILOT SIGNAL (Covert): After using Code 7500,
change the transponder to Code 7700. When unable to change the
transponder setting or when not under radar service, transmit
"(aircraft call sign) transponder seven seven zero zero."
1 Before changing from Code 7500 to Code 7700,
pilots should remain on 7500 for at least 3 minutes or until a
confirmation of Code 7500 has been received from the controller,
whichever is sooner. Controllers shall acknowledge receipt of
Code 7700 by transmitting "(aircraft call sign) (name of
facility) now reading you on transponder seven seven zero zero."
2 Same as 6(1)(b)2 above.
3 Aircraft switching from Code 7500 to Code 7700
that are not in radio contact with the ground will be considered
by ATC to have an in-flight emergency (in addition to condition
of unlawful interference) and the appropriate emergency
procedures shall be followed. In these cases, notification of
concerned authorities shall include information that the aircraft
displayed the unlawful interference (i.e., hijack/bomb [threat]
aboard) code as well as the emergency code.
(3) SITUATION ON THE GROUND: Situation grave; want
armed intervention and aircraft immobilized.
(a) PILOT MESSAGE (Overt). Same as 6(3) above.
(b) PILOT SIGNAL (Covert): Leave full flaps down
after landing or lower full flaps while on the ground.
(4) SITUATION ON THE GROUND: Leave alone - do not
intervene.
(a) PILOT MESSAGE (Overt). Same as 6(4) above.
(b) PILOT SIGNAL (Covert): Retract flaps after
landing.
NOTE: Pilots who retract flaps after squawking
Code 7700 should return to Code 7500 and remain on Code 7500 for
the next leg of the hijacked flight unless the situation changes
again. The pilot may transmit "(aircraft call sign) back on
seven five zero zero" to emphasize the fact that intervention is
no longer desired.
b. Air Carrier District Offices and Flight Standards
District Offices shall ensure that Part 121 air carrier and
commercial operator pilots are trained and knowledgeable about
unlawful interference (i.e., hijack/bomb [threat] aboard)
procedures and covert signals. General Aviation District Offices
and Air Transportation Security Field Offices will be responsible
for disseminating this information to general aviation and air
taxi pilots. Flight Standards field offices having
responsibility for Part 129 foreign air carriers will ensure that
this information is disseminated to those operators.
/s/ Langhorne Bond
Administrator
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY - Public Availability to be determined
under 5 U.S.C. 552.