Definition
An enhancement to the BRITE (Bright Radar Indicator Tower Equipment) radar display used in some control towers, which overlays alphanumeric data tags — such as aircraft identification, altitude, and ground speed — directly next to each radar target on the controller's screen.
Plain English
An upgrade to a tower's radar screen that shows small text labels next to each aircraft blip, telling the controller which aircraft it is and key information about it, instead of just showing a plain dot.
Context Anchor
You are most likely to see BANS in FAA acronym lists, airport equipment references, or air traffic control facility information, not in normal pilot radio calls.
Derivation
BRITE refers to the original bright-screen radar display designed to be readable in a sunlit tower cab. 'Alphanumeric' simply means letters and numbers — so BANS is the version of that display that adds text labels to the radar targets.
Why Pilots Care
Accurate labels on the controller's screen support precise sequencing, spacing, and instructions that affect takeoff, approach, and ground movement safety.
Intuition Check
BANS does not mean rules that prohibit something here. In this FAA acronym, BANS names a controller display system connected with tower radar information.
Example Sentence 1
The tower's BANS display showed each arriving aircraft's call sign and altitude next to its radar target, helping the controller sequence traffic onto final.
Example Sentence 2
BANS data helped confirm the aircraft's position before issuing landing clearance.