Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10; Flight Crew Total 260; Flight Crew Type 230
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Conflict NMAC
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Procedure
I departed and contacted Approach on 125.175 to enter Class C airspace. I reported location and intention and that I had ATIS. I was flying at 2;500 feet on a VFR flight plan direct to MYR. The Controller responded and assigned a squawk code. I entered the code in the transponder and continued on course to MYR. The Controller began talking to the pilots of other aircraft. Several minutes later I noticed what appeared to be a military transport departing a nearby airport. Shortly after departure; I heard the military pilot on the same frequency; 125.175. His aircraft turned directly toward me and continued to climb. At the time; I was about 5 NM from his departure airport. When the transport was about one-half mile away; I heard the pilot report that he was approaching a small airplane; which was my aircraft. I reported that I had the aircraft in site; but the Controller at about the same time reported that he had no other aircraft on his radar in the area; so I do not think my transmission was heard. The aircraft passed about 400 feet directly below me. I never felt like I was in danger because I could have taken evasive action with a turn to the right. I did not turn because I initially thought that the Controller had both aircraft on radar and had judged that we were legally separated. I later confirmed that the Controller had never picked me up on radar. He asked me to recycle my transponder; and then apparently he could see me on radar. When I entered MYR Class C airspace later that day; the Myrtle Beach Controller also asked me to recycle the transponder. I flew again the next day and no problem with the transponder was noted by any controllers. The transponder is scheduled to be checked out but has not yet been examined.
A small aircraft pilot reported a near miss with a military transport near FAY as he attempted to establish flight following with an intermittent transponder.