Definition
A ground-based radar system used by air traffic controllers to detect and display the position of aircraft within a defined area. It shows each aircraft's bearing and range from the radar antenna, allowing controllers to provide separation, traffic advisories, vectors, and approach guidance.
Plain English
Radar that controllers use to see where aircraft are on their screens. It shows the direction and distance of each aircraft from the radar site, so controllers can guide them and keep them safely apart.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure notes when radar monitoring or controller help may be used as a substitute for a failed or unusable navigation component.
Derivation
Surveillance' comes from the French sur- ('over') and veiller ('to watch'), meaning 'to watch over.' That fits exactly: this radar watches over a region of airspace and reports what it sees.
Why Pilots Care
It lets ATC continue providing guidance and separation when primary arrival components fail.
Intuition Check
Surveillance radar does not mean a camera or a general security system. In this context, it means radar equipment controllers use to watch aircraft position and movement.
Example Sentence 1
The controller used surveillance radar to vector the aircraft onto the final approach course.
Example Sentence 2
Surveillance radar allowed the pilot to receive position updates while completing the STAR.