Definition
A high-brightness radar display installed in airport control towers that shows a digital repeat of the radar picture from a nearby approach control facility. It allows tower controllers to see traffic on a screen that remains readable in full daylight, even though the radar itself is located elsewhere.
Plain English
A bright daylight-readable screen in the tower that shows the same radar picture the approach controllers are looking at, so tower controllers can see what's coming.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying and air traffic control discussions, especially when describing the equipment available to tower controllers during approach and departure operations.
Derivation
The name describes itself: it is a digital, bright radar indicator built for tower equipment. "Bright" is the key word — earlier radar scopes had to be viewed in dim rooms, but this display was engineered to stay readable in a glass tower cab full of sunlight.
Why Pilots Care
Gives tower controllers real-time radar information to separate aircraft safely during takeoff, landing, and ground movements even when visibility is poor.
Intuition Check
Do not read DBRITE as something installed in your airplane. It is controller equipment used in the tower.
Example Sentence 1
The tower controller glanced at the DBRITE to confirm the inbound traffic was three miles out before clearing the next aircraft for takeoff.
Example Sentence 2
Low ceilings did not affect separation because the DBRITE continued to show accurate radar tracks.