Definition
An air traffic control display feature that allows controllers to visually preview, evaluate, and modify proposed flight trajectories on the radar screen before issuing them to the aircraft. It shows the projected route as a graphic overlay so the controller can check for conflicts, restrictions, or inefficiencies before clearing the change.
Plain English
A tool on the controller's screen that lets them sketch out a possible new route for an aircraft and see what it would look like before actually telling the pilot to fly it.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of aircraft navigation displays, flight management systems, and cockpit map displays.
Derivation
Graphic means shown as a picture or drawing. Plan refers to the proposed route or trajectory. Display refers to the controller's screen. Together: a picture of the planned route shown on the screen.
Why Pilots Care
Gives immediate visual understanding of the route, helping spot conflicts, terrain, or airspace issues before takeoff.
Grounding Statement
Picture looking down at the route from above and seeing the aircraft’s position on that route.
Intuition Check
Do not read “plan” here as just “what the pilot intends to do.” In “Graphic Plan Display,” “plan” means a flat, top-down map view.
Example Sentence 1
The controller used the Graphic Plan Display to check whether a direct routing would conflict with traffic before offering it to the pilot.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight, she studied the Graphic Plan Display to confirm the direct leg would keep them clear of the restricted area.