Radar Identification

Radar Identification

Introduction

This document shall provide information regarding the means of identification of aircraft. Once an aircraft has been identified by any of the means below, the phrase

"Identified"

or

"Radar Contact"

shall be used.

For the purpose of VATSIM-operations, the airspace of Austria is considered to be fully covered by Mode-S surveillance and all aircraft are equipped with Mode-S transponders. [[1]]

Establishing Identification

Based on Mode-S

One of the following criteria must be met in order to identify an aircraft on VATSIM:

• Recognition of an SSR label.
• Recognition of a discrete (assigned) SSR-code which has been verified.
• Direct recognition of the aircraft identification of a Mode-S-Equipped aircraft.
• Transfer of identification.
• Observation of compliance with an instruction to squawk IDENT.

Based on Primary Radar

One of the following criteria must be met in order to identify an aircraft on VATSIM that is squawking STANDBY (primary target only):

• By correlating a particular radar position with an aircraft reporting its position and by ascertaining that the track of the particular radar position is consistent with the aircraft reported heading.
• By correlating an observed radar position indication with an aircraft which is known to have just departed. This form of identification may be used withing 1nm from the departing runway end.
• Transfer of identification
• Instructing the pilot to execute one or more changes of heading of 30 degrees or more and correlating the movement of said aircraft with the indication on the radar.

Using direction-finding bearings to assist identification of an aircraft may be used but shall never be used as the sole means of establishing identification.

Transfer of Identification

It may be considered on VATSIM, that transfer of identification takes place, whenever an aircraft is handed over from one controller to another.

Conclusions

Whenever an aircraft is displayed on the radar-screen on VATSIM correlated with its FPL-data (which is 99% of all aircraft at all times), the phrases "Identified" or "Radar Contact" may be used BEFORE instructing to squawk a certain SSR-code. Assigning an SSR-code merely adds an additional level of identification and helps identification of aircraft for downstream sectors. An aircraft may also be identified, even when squawk mode is set to STANDBY if one of the above primary radar conditions is met.