True or False: You can use Mode C for separation when you are unable to validate the altitude readout.

Using Mode C for separation is not permissible when you cannot validate the altitude readout. Accurate altitude information is critical for ensuring safe separation between aircraft, especially in environments where multiple aircraft are operating at different altitudes. Mode C transponders provide altitude information, but if that information cannot be validated—perhaps due to equipment failures or discrepancies—relying on it undermines safety protocols. In such cases, controllers must either revert to other separation methods that do not rely on that specific altitude data or take precautionary measures to maintain safe distances between aircraft.

There are situations where altitude validation is essential to guarantee the correct understanding of aircraft positions. When altitude readouts cannot be confirmed, using Mode C could lead to potential conflicts and jeopardize safety. In summary, the inability to validate altitude reads directly impacts the reliance on Mode C for separation, making the statement that it can be used for separation false.