A hand-off occurs when an aircraft crosses the boundary between two different sectors of airspace. The current controller coordinates with the receiving controller to transfer responsibility for the flight. Once the receiving controller positively identifies the aircraft on radar and accepts it, the pilot is instructed to switch radio frequencies to establish communication with the new sector.
Heard on the job
Approach control initiated a hand-off to the tower as soon as the heavy crossed the outer marker.
Insider tip
A pilot should never switch frequencies until the current controller explicitly completes the hand-off and issues the new frequency.
Also heard as
- handoff