Definition
An aircraft whose specific radar return has been positively correlated with a known target on a controller's radar display, allowing the controller to provide radar services to that aircraft.
Plain English
An aircraft that the air traffic controller has matched up with a specific blip on their radar screen, so they know exactly which dot is you.
Context Anchor
Used in air traffic control when a controller is providing radar-based services, such as traffic information or assigned headings.
Derivation
Radar comes from “radio detection and ranging,” meaning finding objects and measuring their distance by radio signals. Identified means recognized as a specific one. Together, the phrase means the controller has connected a radar return on the screen with one particular aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Once identified, the aircraft receives radar separation, traffic advisories, and navigation assistance from ATC.
Intuition Check
Do not read “identified” as simply “the controller knows your call sign.” In this phrase, it means the controller has matched your specific aircraft to a specific radar return or symbol on the screen.
Example Sentence 1
After checking in with Approach, the pilot heard 'Cessna 12345, radar contact two miles south of the airport,' confirming they were now a radar identified aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
The controller confirmed the aircraft was radar identified before issuing a vector around traffic.