Tell the radar controller you're climbing to a specific altitude and following direct routing after pointing out the aircraft

Radar coordination feels like a well-rehearsed handshake between two teams: the aircraft crew and the radar controller. When you’ve got eyes on a target and you point it out, the conversation doesn’t end there. It sets up how the airspace will be managed for the next leg of the flight. So, what should you communicate to the radar controller right after you point out the aircraft? The right answer is: climb to a specific altitude and direct routing.

Let me explain why that choice matters, and how it plays out in real life.

What “pointing out” actually means

When air traffic control relies on radar to identify a plane, there’s a moment of clarity that follows the spot-out. You’ve identified the aircraft on the scope, you’ve verified its identity, and now you’re handing control to the controller for sequencing and integration into the busy airspace. The controller needs a precise picture of where the aircraft is going next. That’s not just polite—it’s essential for safety and flow management.

Think of it like city traffic: a driver who signals a lane change helps other drivers anticipate what’s coming. In the skies, altitude and routing are the signals that help the controller slot the aircraft into the right tier and along the right corridor. Without that, you’re relying on guesses, and guesses don’t mix well with high-speed, closely spaced traffic.

Why altitude and direct routing are the keystones

Altitude is more than just “how high” the plane flies. It’s the vertical plan that tells the controller how the aircraft will weave through the existing traffic. Different flight levels create vertical separation, and knowing whether an aircraft is climbing or descending lets the controller predict where it will be in the next few minutes. Direct routing, on the other hand, reveals the intended path from point to point. It reduces ambiguity and helps the controller anticipate conflicts or required holds long before they become a problem.

When you’re pointing out an aircraft, you’re effectively telling the controller: “Here’s the vertical profile and the horizontal path we’re aiming for.” That information allows the controller to weave the airplane into the airspace more efficiently, while maintaining safe separation from others. It’s the same reason you’d give a tour guide a clear route when leading a group: no one wants to wander.

Why not focus on flight number or speed for this moment?

While flight number and speed have their place, they don’t provide the immediate, actionable picture the controller needs as you’re establishing the aircraft’s trajectory. Flight number and speed are certainly useful for tracking and coordination, but they don’t convey the how and where of the aircraft’s next phase of flight in the same instant. A controller needs to know: is the aircraft climbing to what altitude, and what is the direct routing to the next fix or waypoint?

Consider weather and timing as secondary cues. Time to destination and weather conditions paint a broader picture of the trip’s context, but they don’t drive the immediate safety and sequencing concerns. In a dynamic airspace, altitude and routing are the levers that keep traffic moving smoothly and safely. After you’ve pointed out the aircraft, the priority is to lock in those two critical elements.

Putting it into practice: how to phrase the transmission

Clear, concise, and timely is the name of the game. You’re aiming for a transmission that a radar controller can absorb in one breath, then act on without a second thought. A practical format might look like this:

“N123AB, radar identified, climbing to FL320, direct to [FIX or WAYPOINT].”

A few notes on wording:

• Include the aircraft ID (the call sign) right up front so the controller isn’t hunting for who you’re talking about.

• State the altitude as a flight level (FL) or altitude, whichever is standard for your airspace.

• Say “direct to” followed by a waypoint or fix to show the intended routing.

• Keep it brief. If you need to add more context, do it in a separate, brief follow-up.

To keep the flow natural, you can adapt the phrase to the situation. If the aircraft is already in the system and ready to move, you might say, “N123AB, radar identified, maintaining FL300, direct to [FIX].” The core is the same: altitude and routing first, no fluff.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Missing the vertical profile: It’s easy to omit the climb or descent when you’re juggling several targets. Make it a habit to state the climb/descent clearly every time you point out an aircraft.

• Ambiguity in routing: If you mention “direct to the next point” without naming the actual fix, you’ve just created a puzzle for the controller. Always specify the exact waypoint or fix.

• Overloading the message: Throwing in weather, ETA, or extra identifiers in the same breath can muddy the core instruction. Save the additional details for later, unless they’re directly relevant to the immediate coordination.

• Delayed updates: If the flight changes altitude or route after you’ve pointed out, ensure you relay the update as soon as it’s determined. Communication is a moving target in the sky—timing matters.

A quick analogy to help it stick

Think of the radar controller as a conductor in a busy orchestra. The aircraft are all musicians, and the altitude and routing you pass are the baton movements that tell each musician when to come in and where to go. If you’re handing the baton with a vague gesture, the whole section risks slipping out of tempo. But when you clearly announce “climb to FL320, direct to the next waypoint,” the whole ensemble can synchronize, and a potential clash drops away.

What about the role of the controller and the pilot?

The pilot has the bigger picture: the flight plan, the weather, the payload, and the crew’s timing needs. The controller translates the broad plan into safe, efficient sequencing for all planes in the area. The point-out with a clear altitude and direct routing is a bridge between the two worlds. It’s a moment of precise, mutual understanding that keeps traffic orderly.

Real-world flavors and nuances

In different regions, you’ll hear variations in phraseology, but the principle stays the same. Some controllers may prefer a slightly different cadence or shorthand, but the key elements—altitude and direct routing—are constant. You may also encounter references to airways, fixes, or SID/STAR procedures. If a SID (Standard Instrument Departure) or STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route) is involved, you’ll see direct routing framed in terms of those procedures. The main goal remains: give a clear, usable path and altitude so the controller can fit the aircraft into the airspace with confidence.

The value of clarity in high-stakes environments

There’s real value in concise, well-timed communications. In air traffic control, the overhead is safety. The least ambiguous messages reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation and the need for repeated instructions. When you point out an aircraft, you’re not just giving a line to a controller—you’re helping shape the next several minutes of flight around a network of other airplanes. It’s teamwork, really, with each side leaning on the other’s training and discipline.

A few other pearls that sometimes surface in training circles

• Keep the scope focused: if you’re managing multiple targets, prioritize the one that’s closest to a boundary, or the one whose path has the tightest potential for conflict.

• Verify before you transmit: double-check the aircraft’s identity on the radar and confirm you’re about to issue the correct altitude and routing.

• Use standard phraseology when available, but feel free to adapt to the controller’s preferred cadence as long as the message stays clear.

Let’s tie it back to the core takeaway

When you’ve spotted and identified an aircraft on radar, the most critical information to relay is where it’s going vertically and along what path. Climbing to a specific altitude and direct routing isn’t just a checkbox—it’s the heartbeat of safe, efficient air traffic management. It gives the controller the precise variables needed to slot the aircraft safely into the flow and to anticipate upcoming changes in the network.

If you’re studying Radar Standard Operating Procedures or simply curious about how radar coordination works in busy airspaces, keep this principle in mind: altitude plus routing, stated clearly, is the anchor you’ll return to again and again. It’s the little piece of communication that makes a big difference when you’re navigating a sky full of moving parts.

Final thought: a moment of clarity in a busy sky

The next time you point out an aircraft, pause a beat and deliver that two-part message with calm confidence. Climb to the indicated altitude, direct routing to the next point. You’ll see how that simple, direct instruction helps the controller steer the traffic with smoother sequencing, fewer holds, and a clearer picture for everyone involved. And isn’t that the whole point—keeping skies safe, orderly, and efficient for pilots and controllers alike?