A-80-108
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: AMEND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HANDBOOK 7110.65B SO THAT THE TERM "RADAR CONTACT," WHEN USED IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH PILOTS, MEANS THAT THE TARGET IS IDENTIFIED AND THAT THE CONTROLLER IS ABLE TO VECTOR THE AIRCRAFT, AND TO REQUIRE THAT, IF THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL ADVANTAGE TO EITHER THE CONTROLLER OR PILOT FOR THE CONTROLLER TO STATE "RADAR CONTACT" WHEN VECTORS CANNOT BE PROVIDED, THE PILOT SHOULD BE EXPRESSLY INFORMED THAT VECTORS CANNOT BE PROVIDED.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The National Transportation Safety Board asks the Federal Aviation Administration to revise Air Traffic Control Handbook 7110.65B so that the phrase "radar contact" in communications with pilots consistently means the aircraft is identified and the controller can vector it. If a controller has an operational reason to say "radar contact" when vectors cannot be provided, the controller must expressly inform the pilot that vectors are unavailable.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Unacceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Oct 27, 1986 |
| NTSB number | SEA80FA015 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).