MU-2B 60 Marquise
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 3950; Flight Crew Type 300
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Aircraft; Procedure
Transponder went off line after entering the IFR flight/system. Lost transponder 100% and was told to descend to 8;000 FT for a 'Tower to Tower' clearance. Clearance for us was FL220 and I queried why we could not go on at altitude. Harrisburg Controller said New York Center would not accept and required us thereafter to descend to 8;000 FT (from 9;000 FT) for remainder of the trip. I felt this would impede the trip and cancelled IFR at that point. Transponder remained intermittent for the remainder of the flight. We preceded VFR; with intermittent transponder on 1200 for remainder of trip. We remained clear of Airspace B; C; and D (including overflight); as well as special use airspace for remainder of trip with our intermittent transponder. Note that we have it now at an avionics shop for repair. I feel that; with an intermittent transponder and our being available as a primary target on an IFR flight plan; we should have been allowed to proceed on our IFR flight at altitude; with reporting of altitudes and distances as required by ATC for the route. Requiring turbine flights to go low because ATC does not want the extra workload could be a possible safety concern with fuel; speed of aircraft in low airspace; etc.
IFR MU2 with failed transponder was refused ATC service by ZNY at FL220; the pilot questioning ATC services.