PA.VI.B.K3FAA-S-ACS-6C · Nov 2023Knowledge

Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, av...

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).

Bottom line

Radar equipped FAA ATC facilities provide radar assistance and navigation service (vectors) to VFR aircraft provided the aircraft can communicate with the facility, are within radar coverage, and can be radar identified.

Key numbers

Key numbers for Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, av...
NumberWhat it means
500 feet vertical separation between participating VFR and IFR aircraftTRSA separation
approximately 25 miles from the airport for arriving VFR aircraftSequencing contact

FAA references

  1. AIM 4-1-17 (Radar Assistance to VFR Aircraft) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  2. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-26) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  3. AIM 6-2-1 (Radar Service for VFR Aircraft in Difficulty) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  4. AIM 4-1-18 (Terminal Radar Services for VFR Aircraft) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  5. PHAK ch. 16 (p. 16-34) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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