Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 1020; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
Contacted Norfolk Approach to request GPS Rwy 2 approach to PHF on instrument currency/practice flight with CFII. Approach provided a transponder code and we began [the] approach but Approach was busy and never confirmed radar contact. I; the pilot in command; asked if I should continue but CFII seemed unconcerned so PIC continued approach. Finally upon another request to approach; ORF Approach requested we ident as approach had previously done but could not see us on radar. Did not see transponder interrogation and assumed transponder inoperative Tower requested we do 360's to avoid incoming traffic when we saw and reported other traffic on approach to Runway 7 and warned us. Upon landing at home field the avionics shop determined transponder inoperative and repaired. Lesson learned! Approach Control did not handle us appropriately due to busyness of other traffic; requesting we contact Tower without indicating an inoperative transponder to us; resulting in a potential near mid-air with a Aircraft Y on approach to RWY 7. PHF Tower gave us warning to not enter airspace without approval that I believed was already granted.
GA pilot reported an inoperative transponder and busy ATC situation resulted in a near midair collision while on approach.