Section 3. Radar Identification
5-3-1. APPLICATION
Before you provide radar service, establish and
maintain radar identification of the aircraft
involved, except as provided in Paragraph 551,
Application, subparagraphs b2, b3 and in
Paragraph 855, Radar Identification
Application.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para
319, Use of Tower Radar Displays.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 511, Presentation and Equipment
Performance.
5-3-2. PRIMARY RADAR IDENTIFICATION
METHODS
Identify a primary or radar beacon target by using one
of the following methods:
a. Observing a departing aircraft target within
1 mile of the takeoff runway end at airports with an
operating control tower, provided one of the
following methods of coordination is accomplished.
1. A verbal rolling/boundary notification is
issued for each departure, or
2. A nonverbal rolling/boundary notification is
used for each departure aircraft.
NOTE-
Nonverbal notification can be accomplished via the use of
a manual or electronic “drop tube” or automation.
b. Observing a target whose position with respect
to a fix (displayed on the video map, scribed on the
map overlay, or displayed as a permanent echo) or a
visual reporting point (whose range and azimuth from
the radar antenna has been accurately determined and
made available to the controller) corresponds with a
direct position report received from an aircraft, and
the observed track is consistent with the reported
heading or route of flight. If a TACAN/VORTAC is
located within 6,000 feet of the radar antenna, the
TACAN/VORTAC may be used as a reference fix for
radar identification without being displayed on the
video map or map overlay.
NOTE-
1. Establishment of radar identification through use of
DME position information can be complicated by the fact
that some military TACANs are not collocated with
frequency-paired VORs and might be separated from them
by as much as 31 miles.
2. Visual reporting points used for RADAR identification
are limited to those most used by pilots and whose range
and azimuth have been determined by supervisory
personnel.
c. Observing a target make an identifying turn or
turns of 30 degrees or more, provided the following
conditions are met:
NOTE-
Use of identifying turns or headings which would cause the
aircraft to follow normal IFR routes or known VFR flight
paths might result in misidentification. When these
circumstances cannot be avoided, additional methods of
identification may be necessary.
1. Except in the case of a lost aircraft, a pilot
position report is received which assures you that the
aircraft is within radar coverage and within the area
being displayed.
2. Only one aircraft is observed making these
turns.
3. For aircraft operating in accordance with an
IFR clearance, you either issue a heading away from
an area which will require an increased minimum IFR
altitude or have the aircraft climb to the highest
minimum altitude in your area of jurisdiction before
you issue a heading.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-9, Use of Tower Radar Displays.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-12-11, Surveillance Unusable.
5-3-3. BEACON IDENTIFICATION
METHODS
When using only Mode 3/A radar beacon to identify
a target, use one of the following methods:
a. Request the aircraft to activate the “IDENT”
feature of the transponder and then observe the
identification display.
NOTE-
1. At facilities where the single-slash “IDENT” modification is installed or other decoder modifications have been
made which increase the number of “blooming” target
displays, it will be necessary to exercise additional care to
preclude the possibility of misidentification.
2. TERMINAL. When automated displays are operated in
the analog mode, the “IDENT” return is displayed as a
double slash and the emergency return as a single bloomer
whenever the beacon control head is in the “fail” position.
PHRASEOLOGY-
IDENT.
SQUAWK (code) AND IDENT.
b. Request the aircraft to change to a specific
discrete or nondiscrete code, as appropriate, and then
observe the target or code display change. If a code
change is required in accordance with
Section 2, Beacon Systems, of this
chapter, use the codes specified therein.
c. Request the aircraft to change transponder to
“standby.” After you observe the target disappear for
sufficient scans to assure that loss of target resulted
from placing the transponder in “standby” position,
request the aircraft to return transponder to normal
operation and then observe the reappearance of the
target.
PHRASEOLOGY-
SQUAWK STANDBY,
then
SQUAWK NORMAL.
d. EN ROUTE. During narrowband operations,
an aircraft may be considered identified when the full
data block is automatically associated with the
beacon target symbol of an aircraft that is squawking
a discrete code assigned by the computer.
PHRASEOLOGY-
SQUAWK (4 digit discrete code), AND IF YOUR
ALTITUDE REPORTING EQUIPMENT IS TURNED
OFF, SQUAWK ALTITUDE.
NOTE-
The AIM informs pilots to adjust Mode C transponders with
altitude reporting capability activated unless deactivation
is requested by ATC. Squawk altitude is included to provide
applicable phraseology.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-9, Use of Tower Radar Displays.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-3-6, Position Information.
5-3-4. TERMINAL AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
IDENTIFICATION METHODS
TERMINAL
a. Consider an auto-acquired aircraft as identified
when the data block is displayed and is visible to you,
and one of the following conditions exist:
1. The radar or beacon identification procedures
have been used to confirm the identity of the tagged
target.
2. The aircraft is
being handed off using a NAS automated system and one of the following does not
appear in the data block: “CST”, “NAT”, “NT”, “AMB”, “OLD”, “NB”, “TU”, “AM”, “OL”,
or “TRK”.
b. Use the data block to maintain target identity
unless it is in a coast status or displaced from the
appropriate target.
c. A displaced data block must be updated at all
times.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 3-1-9, Use of Tower Radar Displays.
5-3-5. QUESTIONABLE IDENTIFICATION
a. Use more than one method of identification
when proximity of targets, duplication of observed
action, or any other circumstances cause doubt as to
target identification.
b. If identification is questionable for any reason,
take immediate action to reidentify the aircraft or
terminate radar service. Identify the aircraft as
follows:
1. As described in para 5-3-2, Primary Radar
Identification Methods, or para 5-3-3, Beacon
Identification Methods.
2. En route. Ensure that all primary targets are
displayed when radar identification is lost or is
questionable.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-3, Methods.
5-3-6. POSITION INFORMATION
Inform an aircraft of its position whenever radar
identification is established by means of identifying
turns or by any of the beacon identification methods
outlined in para 5-3-3, Beacon Identification
Methods. Position information need not be given
when identification is established by position
correlation or when a departing aircraft is identified
within 1 mile of the takeoff runway end.
5-3-7. IDENTIFICATION STATUS
a. Inform an aircraft of radar contact when:
1. Initial radar identification in the ATC system
is established.
2. Subsequent to loss of radar contact or
terminating radar service, radar identification is
reestablished.
PHRASEOLOGY-
RADAR CONTACT (position if required).
b. Inform an aircraft when radar contact is lost.
PHRASEOLOGY-
RADAR CONTACT LOST (alternative instructions when
required).
5-3-8. TARGET MARKERS
EN ROUTE
Retain data blocks that are associated with the
appropriate target symbol in order to maintain
continuous identity of aircraft. Retain the data block
until the aircraft has exited the sector or delegated
airspace, and all potential conflicts have been
resolved; including an aircraft that is a point out. The
data block must display flight identification and
altitude information, as a minimum. The displayed
altitude may be assigned, interim, or reported.
5-3-9. TARGET MARKERS
TERMINAL
a. Retain data blocks that are associated with the
appropriate target symbol in order to maintain
continuous identity of aircraft. Retain the data block
until the aircraft has exited the sector or delegated
airspace, and all potential conflicts have been
resolved; including an aircraft that is a point out. The
data block must display flight identification and
altitude information, as a minimum.
NOTE-
Where delegated airspace extends beyond Class B and/or
Class C airspace, the following will apply: If a VFR
aircraft is clear of Class B and Class C airspace and radar
services have been terminated then retention of the data
block is no longer required.
b. During prearranged coordination procedures,
the controllers who penetrate another controller's
airspace must display data block information of that
controller's aircraft which must contain, at a
minimum, the position symbol and altitude
information.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-14, Coordinate Use of Airspace.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-3, Methods.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-8, Automated Information
Transfer (AIT).
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 5-4-10, Prearranged Coordination.
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 3-7-7, Prearranged Coordination.
|