Radar Support and Radar Service

Radar information is invaluable for situational awareness and safety. However, you must remember that radar information is secondary to your own observations. You are still responsible for seeing and avoiding other aircraft, even when radar is providing you with traffic information. Radar can be subject to clutter (weather echoes, terrain returns), gaps in coverage, and occasional missed targets. Never rely solely on radar; always maintain a visual lookout.

When the facility provides you with traffic information, respond appropriately. If you spot the traffic, report it in sight:

"Linz Radar, OE-CMV, traffic in sight."

If you do not spot the traffic, report negative contact:

"Linz Radar, OE-CMV, NEGATIVE CONTACT, will continue to look."

Keep looking for the traffic for a reasonable period. If you find it, report it immediately. If you lose sight of it, report that too.

When radar support ends (typically when you leave the coverage area or when workload requires it), the facility will inform you:

"OE-CMV, radar service terminated, resume responsibility for own separation."

Acknowledge this clearly:

"Radar service terminated, OE-CMV."

From that point on, you are responsible for your own separation and navigation until you establish a new radar service or enter controlled airspace under ATC.