Definition
An air traffic control radar display feature that automatically shows an aircraft's identity and pressure altitude alongside its radar target, derived from the aircraft's transponder reply. The information appears in a data block next to the radar return, allowing the controller to see who the aircraft is and what altitude it is reporting without making a radio call.
Plain English
A label that pops up next to an aircraft's blip on the controller's radar screen, showing the controller which aircraft it is and what altitude it is flying at. The information comes straight from the aircraft's transponder.
Context Anchor
Seen in ATC radar and transponder-related discussions, especially when explaining how controllers identify aircraft and monitor altitude.
Derivation
Direct' here means the data goes straight from the aircraft's transponder to the controller's screen — no voice report needed. 'Readout' is simply the on-screen display of that data. Together: the controller reads the altitude and identity directly from the radar display.
Why Pilots Care
Gives controllers instant, accurate altitude and identity data, reducing radio calls and helping maintain safe aircraft separation.
Analogy
It is like a moving label on a map. Instead of seeing only a dot, the controller sees the dot with key information attached to it.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as an instruction to fly directly to an altitude. Here, “direct” means the altitude and identity information appears directly on the controller’s radar display.
Example Sentence 1
Because the controller had a direct altitude and identity readout, she noticed the aircraft drifting 200 feet below its assigned altitude and issued a correction.
Example Sentence 2
During peak traffic, the direct altitude and identity readout allowed quick verification of each plane's position and code.