Definition
The air traffic controller responsible for guiding an aircraft along the final approach course to the runway, typically during a radar approach such as a precision approach radar (PAR) or airport surveillance radar (ASR) approach.
Plain English
The controller who takes over for the last part of the approach and talks the pilot down to the runway, giving heading and sometimes altitude instructions until landing is assured.
Context Anchor
You may see this term in descriptions of radar approaches and air traffic control duties during the final part of an instrument approach.
Derivation
"Final" here refers to the final approach segment — the last leg of the approach, aligned with the runway. The Final Controller is simply the controller working that segment.
Why Pilots Care
On a radar approach, the Final Controller's instructions are continuous and time-critical. Pilots must listen carefully and respond promptly, because corrections come quickly and the margin for delay shrinks as the aircraft nears the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not assume Final Controller means simply the last controller you talk to. In this context, it means a specific radar controller who provides guidance during the final part of a radar approach.
Example Sentence 1
After being handed off from approach control, the pilot checked in with the Final Controller for the PAR approach to runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
Contact the final controller on 124.5 after turning onto the final approach course.