Definition
An ATC instruction directing the pilot to set the aircraft transponder to code 1200, the standard code used by aircraft operating under visual flight rules within the United States.
Plain English
Controller is telling you to switch your transponder to the standard VFR code, which is 1200. After this, you'll show up on radar as a normal VFR aircraft rather than under a specific ATC-assigned code.
Context Anchor
You will hear or read this phrase in transponder and ATC communication procedures, especially when ATC is ending radar service or no longer needs you on an assigned code.
Derivation
‘Squawk’ comes from the World War II identification system known as ‘Parrot,’ where transponders were said to ‘squawk’ a code like a bird. ‘VFR’ stands for Visual Flight Rules. So the phrase literally means ‘set your transponder to the code that identifies you as a VFR flight.’
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the aircraft appears correctly on radar, supporting traffic separation and airspace compliance.
Intuition Check
“Squawk” does not mean speak on the radio here. It means set and operate a transponder code; “SQUAWK VFR” means use the normal VFR code, not any code you choose.
Example Sentence 1
After Tower terminated flight following, the controller said, ‘N123AB, squawk VFR, frequency change approved.’
Example Sentence 2
The student pilot dialed 1200 into the transponder when told to squawk VFR for the remainder of the flight.