Ident button on the yoke

[Learsforsale]

I think you're all making too big of a deal about the Ident button on the yoke! The whole process is not that big of a life-changing affair.

Typically what we do is if ATC calls for an Ident, the PF who is hand-flying will simply move his finger over and hit Ident button on the yoke. Ident done, problem solved. Just because your the PNF, doesn't mean the PF can't do a minor little thing like that. That way it saves you from reaching up and handling the yoke while the other guys flying it.

For some reason the PA28A that I used to teach in had one on the yoke (i think the new 172 did too) it was always fun to watch a student wonder why ATC is not listening to him and watching him hit the ident switch instead of the PTT switch. But I think having the IDENT button on the yoke is better then putting it right above the VFR button on the Garmin 327. It always makes me nervous when I see a student reaching for the IDENT button in a little turbulence, just one slip and we are squawking 1200, in the BAL/WASH ADIZ BTW

 

[A Squared]

I'll have to admit, I'm scratching my head about this one. I can see the logic in having a yoke mounted button in a single pilot a/c for someting you use frequently....but an Ident Button? Do you guys flying in the more populated part of the country get asked to ident frequently? I think I get an ident request maaaaybe once every couple of months. It's not that much of a workload. I coule think of a couple of much more frequently used buttons which would better candidates for youke mounting.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I'll have to admit, I'm scratching my head about this one. I can see the logic in having a yoke mounted button in a single pilot a/c for someting you use frequently....but an Ident Button? Do you guys flying in the more populated part of the country get asked to ident frequently? I think I get an ident request maaaaybe once every couple of months. It's not that much of a workload. I coule think of a couple of much more frequently used buttons which would better candidates for youke mounting.

If you are trying to figure out the FAA's thought process, you have a lot more time on your hands than I do!!

I gave up when I saw the scruffy looking janitor with a huge plastic trash can that was big enough to house a small nuke go in the "Secure door" with just a wave of his id while I waited in line in full uniform to get my nail clippers taken away and a full body frisk!!

 

[Beechjetr]

i swear, the only time we get asked to IDENT is at night. The "ident" button on the yoke isn't lit, so it's easier to use the one on the rtu.

 

[User546]

I'll have to admit, I'm scratching my head about this one... Do you guys flying in the more populated part of the country get asked to ident frequently?

We're actually do it fairly often. We take off out of a lot of uncontrolled fields and pick up our clearance in the air. First thing the controller wants you to do is squawk a code and Ident for them.

 

[Vastly Underemp]

My girlfriend had to install a few ident buttons, said I needed recurrent....

 

[MrPink1911]

Ha, one time i was repeatedly mashing the yoke mounted ident button and wondering to myself why i couldn't get the map light to turn off.... i figured out what the trouble was when ATC guy asked me why I kept identing..... one of my many many less enlightened moments as a pilot.....