Definition
Information provided by an air traffic controller, based on radar observation, to assist a pilot during an instrument approach. Radar advisories may include the aircraft's position relative to the final approach course, distance from the runway or final approach fix, and alerts if the aircraft drifts outside normal approach tolerances. They are advisory only — the pilot remains responsible for flying the approach.
Plain English
Helpful position and tracking information that a controller passes to the pilot during an approach, based on what the controller sees on radar. The pilot still flies the approach; the controller is just watching and offering useful updates.
Context Anchor
You encounter this term during instrument approaches when ATC is monitoring the approach on radar and may call out helpful information while you fly the procedure.
Derivation
Advisory' comes from the Latin advisare, meaning 'to consider' or 'give counsel.' That captures the spirit here — the controller is offering counsel based on radar, not issuing flight instructions.
Why Pilots Care
These advisories help maintain separation from traffic and avoid weather hazards during the most critical phase of flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “advisory” as unimportant chatter. In this context, a radar advisory may contain safety-critical information, but it is still information to help you fly—not permission to stop monitoring your own aircraft and approach path.
Example Sentence 1
During the approach, the controller provided radar advisories, calling out the aircraft's distance from the runway every two miles.
Example Sentence 2
Radar advisories allowed the pilot to turn slightly left and avoid a cell of heavy precipitation on final.