Delete IAFDOF color coding only after coordination or when an LOA altitude overrides it.

Radar SOPs aren’t just a dusty chapter in a manual. They’re the daily rhythm that keeps air traffic flowing smoothly and safely. One tiny datapoint can ripple through a whole sequence of actions, so clarity when you’re looking at displays matters more than you might think. A question that often pops up in the relay of information is this: when do you delete the color coding on IAFDOF? The quick answer is simple, but the reasoning behind it is worth a closer look.

What are we talking about, exactly?

IAFDOF stands for In-Flight Operation Data. It’s the label you’ll see on radar displays that helps controllers understand the status and constraints of a flight during a given segment. Color coding is a visual shorthand—green might mean “normal,” yellow could indicate “caution,” red might signal “requires immediate action,” or it could reflect other protocol-defined statuses in your facility. The exact palette isn’t universal, but the principle is the same: color codes translate data into rapid, glanceable insight.

Why the timing of deletion matters

Color coding is a dynamic thing. It’s meant to reflect current operational realities: altitude assignments, coordination outcomes, and any special instructions tied to a particular flight. If the color coding remains after something crucial changes, you risk miscommunications. A controller reading the display could assume the old constraint is still in effect, which might lead to conflicting instructions, misrouted aircraft, or unnecessary handoffs. In the high-stakes world of radar control, timing isn’t just housekeeping—it’s safety.

Here’s the thing you’ll want to remember: you delete the IAFDOF color coding after coordination or when you determine that an LOA (Letter of Agreement) altitude overrides the IAFDOF data. That’s the moment the displayed information no longer matches the current operating reality. It’s a targeted, precise action designed to prevent confusion and ensure everyone is working with the most accurate reference for that flight path.

Let’s break down the logic

• Coordination updates are a living thing. When another facility or sector requests a change, you’re not just swapping a number. You’re creating a new operational baseline. If the color code remains tied to the old baseline, you’ve got a mismatch between what the system shows and what’s approved on the ground.

• LOAs—those formal agreements about altitudes and routes—carry authority above what the generic IAFDOF data provides. Once an LOA altitude takes precedence, the old IAFDOF cue becomes obsolete for that flight. The display needs to reflect the LOA reality so that actions you’re guiding or authorizing stay aligned with the agreed plan.

• Deleting (or updating) the color coding is a signal to all involved that the current instruction set is the LOA-driven one, not the prior data set. It’s a visible, unequivocal cue that you’re operating under a different rule set for that moment in airspace.

A practical, step-by-step way to handle it

1. Confirm the change. Before you touch anything, verify that coordination has occurred or that the LOA altitude is officially in effect. This isn’t a “maybe.” It’s a documented change that must drive the display.

2. Identify the affected flight(s). Not every aircraft in view will be impacted, but you’ll want to review those under the LOA-adjusted altitude and any sector boundaries that were part of the coordination.

3. Remove or modify the color cue. If the SOP calls for deletion of the IAFDOF color coding, perform it in the prescribed system exactly as required. Some centers might replace it with a new cue that reflects the LOA status rather than simply removing the marker.

4. Confirm the new display. After the change, double-check that the flight’s altitude, route, and any LOA-driven constraints are visible clearly and are in line with the agreement.

5. Communicate the change. A quick note to the team—either verbally or through your clear-text log—helps ensure everyone understands that the old IAFDOF cue no longer applies and that the LOA altitude governs the flight.

6. Document for traceability. Record the coordination event, the LOA activation, and the color coding adjustment in the position log. This creates a clean audit trail and helps with after-action reviews or future inquiries.

A quick mental model you can carry

Think of the IAFDOF color coding like a temporary weather icon on a map. If a new forecast arrives (coordination) or if a formal forecast rule (LOA altitude) overrides the old one, you update the map. Leaving the old weather icon visible would mislead people into thinking the conditions remain the same. You refresh, or you remove, so the map matches reality. It’s about keeping the shared situational picture accurate for every controller handling the flight.

Common pitfalls worth avoiding

• Premature deletion. If you delete the color code before the LOA or coordination is confirmed, you risk leaving a blank or misrepresented display. Always wait for official validation of the change.

• Overlapping alerts. Sometimes you’ll have a new LOA and a separate coordination action in play. Make sure the final status on the display clearly reflects the authoritative source—LOA if it’s in effect, or the coordination outcome if that’s the current authority.

• Inadequate communication. The best system update isn’t worth much if teammates don’t know what changed. A short, precise notice helps everyone stay aligned.

• Documentation gaps. Skipping the log entry can create confusion later. A clear record is part of safe, responsible operations.

Relatable analogies to keep it grounded

• It’s like updating a road map after a temporary road closure. If you don’t mark the detour, drivers will end up on the closed lane, wasting time and fuel. In airspace, a missed LOA override can mean the wrong altitude is being followed, with potential conflicts down the line.

• Or think of it like a shared calendar. If a meeting time shifts, you don’t leave the old slot on your calendar and hope for the best—you delete or update it so your plans reflect reality.

Tying it back to the bigger picture

Radar SOPs are built to minimize ambiguity in fast-moving environments. The IAFDOF color coding is one of many signals that help teams stay synchronized across sectors and facilities. When you know precisely when to delete that color cue, you’re helping to preserve a common operational picture. You’re also reinforcing the discipline that keeps altitude assignments in line with formal agreements. It’s a small action with purposeful impact.

A compact reference you can keep handy

• Trigger to delete color coding: after coordination or when an LOA altitude overrides the IAFDOF.

• What you do next: update the display to reflect the LOA (if applicable), notify teammates, and log the change.

• What to verify: the flight’s current altitude, route, and any LOA-mandated constraints align with the official decision.

• What to avoid: leaving outdated color cues in place or failing to document the change.

A little touch of practical wisdom

Radar environments are busy, and changes don’t come with a single loudbell. They come as subtle adjustments you make on the screen while keeping your head in the game. The moment you recognize that an LOA altitude holds sway, you’re not just tidying up a display. You’re helping everyone involved keep the flight on its correct path, reducing the chance of misinterpretation, and supporting safer skies.

Closing thought

If you ever find yourself questioning when to delete IAFDOF color coding, you’re in good company. The rule is precise for a reason: coordination outcomes and LOA-driven decisions carry real authority that should be reflected immediately on the radar display. Keeping that alignment isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about maintaining clarity when speed matters most. And in a field where a second’s difference can shift an trajectory, that clarity is priceless.