Definition
The coordinated transfer of radar identification and control responsibility for an aircraft from one air traffic controller to another. Once the receiving controller accepts the handoff and the pilot is instructed to contact the new facility or sector on a new frequency, that controller assumes separation and traffic responsibility for the flight.
Plain English
The process by which one controller passes you off to another controller while you remain on radar. The first controller tells the next one who you are and where you are, the next controller agrees to take you, and then you are told to switch frequencies and check in with them.
Context Anchor
You encounter radar handoffs during instrument flight when moving from one controller’s area to another, such as from departure control to approach control or from one approach sector to the next.
Derivation
Radar comes from “radio detection and ranging,” meaning a system that uses radio energy to find and measure the position of objects. Handoff comes from the everyday idea of passing responsibility to someone else; in aviation, it means the responsibility for watching and controlling the aircraft is passed between controllers, not physically handed to anyone.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the aircraft remains under positive radar control with no loss of separation during transitions between controllers.
Intuition Check
A radar handoff is not the pilot handing anything over. It is a controller-to-controller transfer of responsibility for the aircraft while it remains identified on radar.
Example Sentence 1
After completing the radar handoff to the approach controller, Center instructed the pilot to contact Approach on 119.4.
Example Sentence 2
Approach coordinated radar handoffs for three successive arrivals to keep each aircraft under continuous radar coverage into the airport.