Definition
The frequency at which a radar system refreshes the displayed position of an aircraft target, typically expressed as the time interval between successive updates (for example, one update per second).
Plain English
How often the radar picture is refreshed with new aircraft position information. A faster update rate means controllers see where each aircraft is more often.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of Precision Runway Monitor radar, where controllers need very frequent position updates while aircraft are flying close parallel approaches.
Why Pilots Care
A fast update rate lets controllers spot course deviations in time to issue corrective instructions before an aircraft on a parallel approach drifts too close.
Grounding Statement
If a PRM radar has a one-second update rate, the controller gets a fresh radar position about every second.
Intuition Check
Update rate is not the speed of the aircraft. It is how often the system refreshes the information about the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
PRM radar has a faster update rate than standard approach radar, allowing controllers to monitor closely spaced parallel approaches safely.
Example Sentence 2
During parallel approach briefings, pilots are told that the monitor radar's update rate is what makes the procedure safe.