Wait...what?

For the purposes of this site, Mode S is just "Mode Stafford" - an introvert's attempt at sharing stories and anecdotal information related to my passions, life experiences and journeys of faith.

For the more technically inclined, below is the Reader's Digest version of what Mode S really means.

Mode S refers to a type of Transponder found on most aircraft. It's a part of the Avionics suite of equipment which provides transmission of critical flight-related data to external receivers such as Air Traffic Control and other aircraft within the vicinity of the aircraft's flight path. A four digit Squawk Code assigned by ATC is input by the pilot into the Transponder, which then provides geospatial reference about the aircraft's speed, position, altitude and aircraft identification, among other things.

As for the site domain - "VFR on Top", well the official term refers to a procedure primarily used in US Airspace. VFR officially stands for Visual Flight Rules. In short, an Air Traffic Control issued VFR on-top clearance is an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) clearance that allows pilots to fly at VFR altitudes (i.e. to select a level in lieu of the assigned one). This can be helpful if flying slightly above, or in between cloud layers, and it is preferable to stay out of the clouds. Flying for extended periods of time through IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) can be fatiguing and less comfortable (turbulence is often present in clouds). Also, being able to see distant objects helps avoid air sickness.

So, if you've read this far and have not been scared off by the aviation techno-babble, welcome to my Virtual Flights of Reality (VFR) from the Top of my head.🫨 I do appreciate you taking the time and thanks for stopping by 😄.