Definition
A standard used by ATC radar controllers meaning that the radar return being observed gives the controller enough confidence in the aircraft's identity and location to provide radar services such as separation, vectors, and traffic advisories. The position must be precise enough for the controller's intended use, not perfect.
Plain English
The controller can see your aircraft on radar clearly enough, and is confident enough about which target is yours, to safely give you radar-based instructions and services.
Context Anchor
Seen in radar assistance discussions, especially when explaining when a controller can use radar information to help an aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether radar assistance can be used safely for vectoring, approaches, or traffic separation.
Grounding Statement
This phrase is about having enough accuracy for the job, not having a perfect picture of the aircraft’s position.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as perfect position information. It means accurate enough for the controller’s specific radar task.
Example Sentence 1
Once the controller had sufficiently accurate position information, she issued vectors around the weather.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach, the pilot requested an update because the displayed position information was no longer sufficiently accurate.