Definition
An action taken to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another controller if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller's airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.
Plain English
When you fly from one controller's area into another's, the first controller passes you to the next one. They confirm who you are on radar and tell you which frequency to switch to so you keep talking to the right person.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter handoffs during ATC communications, especially on cross-country flights, instrument flights, and when moving between tower, departure, center, approach, or tower control.
Derivation
“Handoff” comes from the everyday idea of handing something from one person to another. In aviation, what gets “handed off” is not the aircraft itself, but control responsibility and the controller’s confirmed identification of that aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
A smooth handoff prevents gaps in radar coverage or communication and keeps the flight moving safely through changing airspace.
Analogy
Like a relay runner handing the baton to the next teammate without slowing down or dropping it.
Intuition Check
A handoff is not just a casual radio frequency change. It means ATC responsibility for your aircraft is being passed from one controller to another.
Example Sentence 1
After the handoff from Departure, I checked in with Center and continued my climb to cruise altitude.
Example Sentence 2
After the handoff, the pilot checked in on the new frequency and received an altitude assignment.