Definition
On an ARTS III or DBRITE radar display, the readout area is the portion of the screen dedicated to displaying alphanumeric information about each tracked aircraft, such as its identification, altitude, and groundspeed, presented in a data block next to the aircraft's radar target.
Plain English
The part of a controller's radar screen where written information about each aircraft (like its call sign, altitude, and speed) is shown next to the dot representing the aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen in the Instrument Flying Handbook figure showing an ARTS III / DBRITE radar display used by air traffic controllers.
Derivation
Readout' comes from the idea of a machine 'reading out' information to a human in a display form. In radar, it refers to the text the system generates and shows on screen alongside the radar return.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots don't view the readout area directly, but understanding it helps explain why controllers can quickly confirm an aircraft's altitude or identity over the radio — that information is right there next to the target on their screen.
Intuition Check
Do not read “readout area” as an area of airspace. Here, it means a labeled part of a radar screen where information is displayed.
Example Sentence 1
The controller glanced at the readout area beside the target to verify the aircraft's assigned altitude.
Example Sentence 2
When two targets appeared close together, the controller used the readout area to confirm which plane was which.