What does squawking 7600 indicate?

Squawking 7600 is utilized to indicate a loss of communication with the aircraft. When a pilot sets their transponder to this code, it alerts air traffic control (ATC) that the aircraft is unable to communicate effectively, either due to equipment failure or other issues affecting radio transmissions.

This code is part of the transponder squawk codes, which are used for various specific situations in aviation. In this case, if ATC sees a transponder code of 7600, they know to take specific actions to ensure the safety of the flight, which may include attempting to re-establish communication or providing traffic separation based on the aircraft's last known position.

While other codes exist for different emergencies – such as a hijacking with code 7500 or a general distress situation with code 7700 – 7600 specifically signifies that the pilot is experiencing communication difficulties. Therefore, the determination that squawking 7600 represents a loss of communication is accurate and reflects the standard procedures in air traffic control.