When is it permissible to transfer radio communication to an aircraft after a handoff has been accepted and the aircraft has entered the receiving controller's airspace?

When is it permissible to transfer radio communication to an aircraft after a handoff has been accepted and the aircraft has entered the receiving controller's airspace?

• A. Immediately
• B. Unless otherwise coordinated
• C. After a fixed time interval
• D. Only with pilot consent

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is that once the handoff is accepted and the aircraft has entered the receiving controller’s airspace, responsibility for that aircraft and its instructions passes to the receiving controller, including communications. It’s permissible to transfer the radio contact at that point unless there is a specific operational coordination that says to delay or keep communications with the previous controller for a short time. In other words, transfer should happen unless there’s an agreed exception to maintain continuity or sequencing. The other options aren’t correct because pilot consent isn’t required for the transfer, there isn’t a universal fixed time interval, and transferring immediately is standard practice but exceptions can be coordinated if needed.

The important idea here is that once the handoff is accepted and the aircraft has entered the receiving controller’s airspace, responsibility for that aircraft and its instructions passes to the receiving controller, including communications. It’s permissible to transfer the radio contact at that point unless there is a specific operational coordination that says to delay or keep communications with the previous controller for a short time. In other words, transfer should happen unless there’s an agreed exception to maintain continuity or sequencing. The other options aren’t correct because pilot consent isn’t required for the transfer, there isn’t a universal fixed time interval, and transferring immediately is standard practice but exceptions can be coordinated if needed.