What role do primary and secondary radar play in air traffic control?

Primary and secondary radar are essential tools in air traffic control, primarily focusing on ensuring safe separation between aircraft. Primary radar operates by sending out radio waves that bounce off objects, such as aircraft, and return to the radar station. This helps in detecting the position and distance of an aircraft, regardless of whether the aircraft is equipped with radar transponders. It provides raw data about the aircraft's location.

Secondary radar, on the other hand, relies on transponders installed in aircraft. When the secondary radar sends a signal, the transponder replies with additional information, such as altitude and identification. This enhances the data received from primary radar, allowing air traffic controllers to have a clearer and more accurate understanding of each aircraft’s position and intentions.

Together, both types of radar contribute to maintaining safe distances between aircraft during various phases of flight. This involves monitoring their movements and adjusting flight paths as necessary to prevent collisions, thereby fulfilling a vital function in air traffic management.

Automating takeoff and landing procedures, calculating flight paths, or measuring weather conditions, while important aspects of aviation operations, are not the primary functions of radar systems in air traffic control. Radar primarily serves as a situational awareness tool that enhances safety by monitoring and managing aircraft separation in the air