Definition 1 of 2
Definition
The action whereby responsibility for separation of an aircraft is transferred from one controller to another, with both controllers having coordinated and agreed on the transfer before it takes place.
Plain English
When one air traffic controller hands off responsibility for an aircraft to another controller, after both have agreed on the handoff.
Context Anchor
Seen in air traffic control procedures when an aircraft moves from one controller’s area to another, such as from tower to departure control or from one center sector to the next.
Derivation
Transfer comes from Latin words meaning “to carry across.” That fits this aviation use because the responsibility for controlling and separating the aircraft is carried across from one controller to another.
Why Pilots Care
It ensures continuous, uninterrupted separation services as an aircraft moves from one controller's airspace to the next.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as the pilot giving up physical control of the airplane. Here, control means air traffic control responsibility for the aircraft, especially separation from other traffic.
Example Sentence 1
After transfer of control, the pilot was instructed to contact the next sector on a new frequency.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots may be instructed to contact a new frequency during a transfer of control, but the coordination between controllers happens first.