In automated handoff between non-ERAM facilities, verbally coordinate to verify the position of which targets?

In automated handoff between non-ERAM facilities, verbally coordinate to verify the position of which targets?

• A. Primary targets
• B. Secondary targets
• C. Unidentified targets
• D. All targets

Answer: (A)

In automated handoffs between non-ERAM facilities, the focus is on confirming the position of primary targets. Primary targets are radar echoes without transponder information, so there isn’t automatic identification from SSR data. Verbal coordination lets the handing and receiving controllers confirm that both see the same aircraft at the same position and track, ensuring a clean transfer and continued separation. Relying on secondary targets alone isn’t enough because transponder data can be unreliable or absent, and you can’t be certain which aircraft the SSR target represents without cross-checks. Unidentified targets or handing off every target would add ambiguity, so the emphasis is on validating the primary target’s position.

In automated handoffs between non-ERAM facilities, the focus is on confirming the position of primary targets. Primary targets are radar echoes without transponder information, so there isn’t automatic identification from SSR data. Verbal coordination lets the handing and receiving controllers confirm that both see the same aircraft at the same position and track, ensuring a clean transfer and continued separation. Relying on secondary targets alone isn’t enough because transponder data can be unreliable or absent, and you can’t be certain which aircraft the SSR target represents without cross-checks. Unidentified targets or handing off every target would add ambiguity, so the emphasis is on validating the primary target’s position.