Definition
An air traffic control system performance designation indicating that a radar facility is providing both primary radar tracking (returns from the aircraft skin) and secondary radar beacon tracking (returns from the aircraft transponder) on a target. It describes the level of surveillance coverage being applied to an aircraft within a controller's airspace.
Plain English
A label used by air traffic control to show that an aircraft is being followed both by regular radar bouncing off the airplane itself and by signals coming back from the airplane's transponder. It tells the controller what kind of tracking they have on you.
Context Anchor
Seen in NOTAMs and FAA abbreviation lists when a notice refers to surveillance coverage, tracking, or a level tied to radar and transponder tracking.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing whether ATC has full radar and beacon tracking on you affects the kind of services they can provide, including separation, traffic advisories, and vectors. If beacon tracking is lost (transponder failure), the level of service you receive may change.
Intuition Check
“Level” does not mean skill level here; it means an altitude or flight level. “Beacon” does not mean a light on the ground here; it refers to the aircraft transponder signal used for tracking.
Example Sentence 1
The facility maintained RT & BTL on the aircraft throughout its transit of the sector.
Example Sentence 2
At the published RT & BTL the controller maintained continuous tracking through the sector.