Definition
The automatic transmission of an aircraft's pressure altitude to air traffic control (ATC) by a Mode C or Mode S transponder, allowing the controller's radar display to show the aircraft's altitude alongside its position.
Plain English
Your transponder sends your altitude to ATC automatically, so the controller sees how high you are without having to ask.
Context Anchor
Seen in transponder and Mode C discussions, especially when learning how air traffic control sees an aircraft’s altitude on radar.
Derivation
Altitude comes from a Latin word meaning “height.” Reporting means sending information to someone else. Together, the term points to equipment sending height information outward, not just showing altitude inside the cockpit.
Why Pilots Care
Provides controllers with continuous, accurate altitude data for traffic separation and collision avoidance.
Intuition Check
Altitude reporting does not usually mean the pilot verbally reports altitude. In this context, it means the aircraft’s transponder automatically sends altitude information to air traffic control equipment.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the controller said 'radar contact, altitude reporting normal,' confirming that the transponder was sending the correct altitude.
Example Sentence 2
Without altitude reporting enabled, the aircraft may not receive radar vectors in instrument conditions.