What is a handoff in ATC?
A handoff is the transfer of control responsibility from one controller to another. When an aircraft reaches the boundary of a controller's airspace, the current controller passes it to the next sector.
The process
- Initiate - the current controller coordinates with the receiving controller
- Accept - the receiving controller agrees to take the aircraft
- Frequency change - the pilot is told to contact the new frequency: "contact Denver Center on 133.45"
- Check in - the pilot calls the new controller: "Denver Center, AAL123 with you, flight level three five zero"
- Radar identification - the new controller confirms they see the aircraft on their scope
Why it matters
Each controller only manages aircraft in their sector. Without proper handoffs, aircraft would cross into uncontrolled airspace. The coordination ensures no gaps in separation responsibility.
At busy facilities, handoffs happen continuously. A center controller might handle dozens of handoffs per hour.
Types
- Radar handoff - standard handoff between radar-equipped sectors
- Non-radar handoff - between sectors without overlapping radar coverage (rare in the US)
- Automated handoff - systems like ERAM can automate parts of the process
In radarcontrol.io
Issue ho ZDV to hand off an aircraft to Denver Center. The scoring system awards +100 points for handoffs at the correct exit altitude, +50 for wrong altitude. Aircraft that exit without a handoff cost -150 points.