Definition
Information issued by air traffic control (ATC) to alert a pilot to other known or observed air traffic that may be near enough to their position or intended route to warrant attention. The advisory typically includes the position of the other aircraft relative to yours (clock position), distance, direction of flight, and altitude when known.
Plain English
A heads-up from ATC, based on what they see on radar, telling you about another aircraft near you so you can look for it and stay clear.
Context Anchor
You may hear Radar Traffic Advisories from a controller while receiving radar service, especially during departure, arrival, flight following, or instrument flying.
Derivation
‘Advisory’ comes from the Latin advisare, meaning ‘to consider’ or ‘give counsel.’ In aviation it carries the same flavor — the controller is offering information for you to consider, not issuing an instruction you must follow.
Why Pilots Care
Helps prevent mid-air collisions by increasing situational awareness of nearby traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an advisory means air traffic control will automatically steer you away from the other aircraft. It is information to help you see and avoid traffic unless the controller also gives a specific instruction.
Example Sentence 1
Cessna 24 Bravo, traffic, ten o'clock, three miles, southbound, altitude indicates two thousand five hundred.
Example Sentence 2
Even outside controlled airspace the pilot requested radar traffic advisories from approach control for added awareness.