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terminal control azea (TCA). Information is provided to other aircraft operators on request when operating elsewhere in the terminal azea. The Minneapolis TCA consists of positively-controlled airspace centered on Minneapolis-St. Paul International and extending outwazd in concentric circles to 20 nautical miles. The areas within the circles have varying floors but a constant ceiling, much like an upside down wedding cake. There is also as additional circle of airspace extending out to 30 nautical miles. Fshtbit )III illustrates the airspace surrounding Minneapolis-St. Paul International. The outer circle is a recently designated area around the TCA that makes it mandatory for all aircraft operating within 30 nautical miles of the primary airport (Minneapolis-St. Paul International) to have a Mode C transponder on boazd and to transmit a code that is displayed on the approach control facility radaz scopes. The information displayed identifies the aircraft status as uarnnuolled VFTt and reads out the altitude of the aircraft. All other aircraft operating or wishing to operate within the 20- nautical mile TCA azea must be in radio contact with approach control, receive a cleazance, and have a working transponder. The transponder is effective from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL; it was implemented by the FAA so that controllers can determine the altitudes of all aircraft within a 30-nautical mile radius and apply separation or advisory service to all aircraft that are in radio contact and under their control. The new 30-nautical mile Mode C transponder requirement was important to the Regional System Reliever Airports Study because all seven reliever airports are within the 30-nautical mile area of Minneapolis-St. Paul International. Aircraft operating at the reliever airports must be equipped with the Mode C transponder. The only exceptions to this requirement are balloons, gliders, and aircraft not equipped with an engine-driven electrical system. All of the reliever airports aze below the floor of the TCA. Aircraft operating at these airports can operate uncontrolled below the floor of the TCA during visual flight rule (VFTt) conditions, but they must have a working Mode C transponder on boazd. IFR aircraft under approach control are generally kept above the floor of the TCA unless the aircraft is landing at one of the general aviation airports. When aircraft aze below the TCA floor for landing, they are given traffic advisories regazding other VFR III-23