What phrase should you use to tell an aircraft to turn off their transponder?

The phrase "Stop squawk" is commonly used in aviation communication to instruct an aircraft to turn off its transponder. The term "squawk" refers to the transponder code that aircraft use to identify themselves on radar. When air traffic control tells a pilot to "stop squawk," it is a clear and concise way to indicate that the pilot should turn off the transponder, ceasing its transmission.

In aviation, brevity and clarity are crucial for safe communication, and using established phrases helps ensure that messages are understood quickly and accurately. The use of the term "squawk" is well recognized in the context of air traffic control and helps prevent any confusion about what is being requested.

Other phrases, although they may convey a similar intent, do not align with standard aviation terminology and could lead to misunderstandings or delays in compliance. For instance, the phrase "Deactivate your radar signal" might not be as commonly recognized by pilots, and "cease altitude reporting" implies stopping the reporting of altitude specifically, which could be misunderstood as a less comprehensive command than turning off the entire transponder. "Switch off the transponder" is clear but lacks the brevity of "stop squawk," which is more aligned with everyday