During a handoff, which item must be transmitted?

During a handoff, which item must be transmitted?

• A. Aircraft color
• B. Call sign
• C. Destination
• D. Flight plan

Answer: (B)

Identifying the aircraft during a handoff is essential, and the item that must be transmitted is the call sign. The call sign serves as the primary, unambiguous identifier for the aircraft in all air traffic communications and radar tracking. Transmitting it ensures the receiving controller knows exactly which aircraft is being handed off, preventing confusion between similarly numbered flights or different operators. Aircraft color has no bearing on identification and isn’t used in the handoff process. Destination and flight plan contain important route and planning information, but they aren’t the identifiers that uniquely track the aircraft in real time during the handoff. The flight plan may be reviewed by the next controller, but the immediate, unmistakable reference the handoff relies on is the call sign.

Identifying the aircraft during a handoff is essential, and the item that must be transmitted is the call sign. The call sign serves as the primary, unambiguous identifier for the aircraft in all air traffic communications and radar tracking. Transmitting it ensures the receiving controller knows exactly which aircraft is being handed off, preventing confusion between similarly numbered flights or different operators.

Aircraft color has no bearing on identification and isn’t used in the handoff process. Destination and flight plan contain important route and planning information, but they aren’t the identifiers that uniquely track the aircraft in real time during the handoff. The flight plan may be reviewed by the next controller, but the immediate, unmistakable reference the handoff relies on is the call sign.