Precision Approach Radar

(See also Airport Surveillance Radar, Ground Controlled Approach) Radar equipment in some Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or the military services at joint-use civil/military locations and separate military installations to detect and display azimuth, elevation, and range of aircraft on the final approach course to a runway. This equipment may be used to monitor certain nonradar approaches, but is primarily used to conduct a precision instrument approach wherein the controller issues guidance instructions to the pilot based on the aircraft's position in relation to the final approach course (azimuth), the glide path (elevation), and the distance (range) from the touchdown point on the runway as displayed on the radar scope. (FAA4)