Definition
The standard transponder code (1200) set by VFR aircraft in the United States when no other code has been assigned by air traffic control. It identifies the aircraft on radar as operating under visual flight rules without an active ATC clearance requiring a discrete code.
Plain English
1200 is the default four-digit number a VFR pilot dials into the transponder when ATC has not given them a specific code to use. It tells controllers and their radar systems, 'this is a VFR flight, not on an ATC-assigned code.'
Context Anchor
Seen on transponder displays, cockpit checklists, and FAA training material when discussing VFR operations without an assigned air traffic control code.
Derivation
Code comes from an older word for a system of signals. In this use, it means a selected four-number signal sent by the aircraft’s transponder, not a written rule or a secret password.
Why Pilots Care
Using this code lets radar systems and controllers identify the flight as standard VFR traffic and provide appropriate services.
Intuition Check
Do not read “code” here as a secret password or a fault message. Here, it means the four numbers the pilot selects on the transponder to tell radar systems the aircraft’s status.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff on a local VFR flight, the pilot set the transponder to Code 1200 and selected ALT.
Example Sentence 2
While transitioning Class E airspace, the pilot remained on Code 1200 as instructed by ATC.