Definition
Data displayed on a radar scope or flight instrument that shows how a target's position, altitude, speed, or track is changing over time, allowing the controller or pilot to anticipate where it will be next rather than only where it is now.
Plain English
Information that shows which way something is moving and how fast it is changing, so you can see what is about to happen, not just what is happening right now.
Context Anchor
Seen in radar navigation discussions where air traffic control uses radar returns to help determine an aircraft’s movement and guide it safely.
Derivation
From the Old English 'trendan,' meaning to turn or roll. A trend is the direction something is moving in. In aviation it tells you the direction of change rather than the current value alone.
Why Pilots Care
Allows anticipation of traffic conflicts or required course adjustments before they become immediate threats.
Intuition Check
Do not read trend information as a guess or opinion. In this context, it means a movement pattern shown by comparing positions over time.
Example Sentence 1
The controller used trend information on the radar scope to see that the two aircraft were converging and issued a turn before they got too close.
Example Sentence 2
Radar trend information confirmed the aircraft ahead was turning toward the final approach course.