Definition
A Standard Instrument Departure that requires ATC radar vectors from shortly after takeoff to a defined fix or route. Instead of the pilot navigating the entire departure using charted courses and fixes, the controller provides headings on radar to guide the aircraft until it joins the en route structure or the assigned route.
Plain English
A published departure procedure where the controller watches you on radar and gives you headings to fly until you're clear of the airport area and on your way.
Context Anchor
You see this on instrument departure charts and in IFR clearances when a departure depends on controller guidance shortly after takeoff.
Derivation
Radar comes from 'radio detection and ranging,' the system controllers use to track aircraft on a screen. SID stands for Standard Instrument Departure. Together, the term means a departure where radar tracking and vectoring are part of how the procedure is flown.
Why Pilots Care
Gives controllers flexibility to manage traffic flow and terrain clearance in busy or complex airspace without requiring a fully published procedure.
Intuition Check
A radar SID does not mean your aircraft must have onboard radar. Here, “radar” means air traffic control is using radar to see and guide your aircraft after departure.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff from runway 27, we flew the radar SID and accepted vectors from departure control until we joined the airway.
Example Sentence 2
Because no published departure was available, the controller issued a radar SID with step-by-step climb instructions.