Definition
An action by a controller to physically point out, or coordinate by automation, an aircraft to another controller whose airspace the aircraft will, or may, penetrate. The receiving controller assumes responsibility for separation between that aircraft and other aircraft in their airspace, but the originating controller retains radar handoff and communication responsibilities.
Plain English
When an aircraft is going to fly through or close to another controller's airspace, the first controller tells that other controller about it. The second controller agrees to keep that aircraft separated from their other traffic, but the first controller still talks to the pilot and keeps the aircraft on their radar.
Context Anchor
Used in air traffic control coordination, especially when an aircraft may pass near or into another controller’s area but does not need a radio handoff.
Why Pilots Care
A point out means the pilot stays with the same controller on the same frequency even though the aircraft is briefly in another controller's airspace. Knowing this helps pilots understand why they aren't being handed off when they cross a boundary line on the chart.
Intuition Check
Do not read Point OUT as simply “pointing at something.” In FAA use, it means one controller formally brings a specific aircraft to another controller’s attention while radio contact stays with the first controller.
Example Sentence 1
Center pointed out the VFR traffic to the approach controller before the aircraft entered the Class B shelf.
Example Sentence 2
After the point out was accepted, the two controllers continued to monitor the traffic separately.