Plain English Meaning

TRACONs are the radar control rooms that handle aircraft in the busy airspace around major airports — after they leave the tower's area but before they reach the high-altitude cruise controllers.

Full Definition

TRACONs are FAA air traffic control facilities that use radar to manage aircraft arriving at, departing from, and transiting through the airspace surrounding one or more busy airports, typically out to about 30–50 nautical miles and up to around 10,000 feet. They sit between the tower (which handles aircraft on or close to the runway) and the en route center (which handles aircraft cruising at higher altitudes over longer distances).