Definition
A ground-based air traffic control computer system used by oceanic controllers to track, display, and process flight data for aircraft operating over oceanic airspace where direct radar coverage is unavailable. It accepts position reports, calculates predicted aircraft positions along filed routes, monitors separation conflicts, and presents this information on controller workstations.
Plain English
A computer system that helps controllers keep track of airplanes flying across the ocean, where normal radar can't reach. It uses position reports from the aircraft to figure out where each plane is and where it's going, and shows it all on a screen for the controller.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA acronym lists and in references to oceanic air traffic control systems.
Why Pilots Care
Supports safe aircraft separation and services during flights over water where normal radar cannot reach.
Grounding Statement
When an aircraft is far offshore, tools like ODAPS help air traffic control turn flight plan and position information into a usable traffic picture.
Intuition Check
ODAPS is not cockpit equipment. It refers to an air traffic control station used on the ground for oceanic operations.
Example Sentence 1
After crossing 30 West, the crew's HF position report was relayed to oceanic control and entered into ODAPS to update their predicted track.
Example Sentence 2
Flight plan changes were entered into ODAPS before the plane reached the oceanic boundary.