A flight strip refers to a small strip of paper, usually rectangular in shape, that is used by air traffic controllers in the handling of aircraft movements at an airport or during air traffic control operations. It serves as a vital tool for the efficient and safe management of air traffic.
Flight strips typically contain important information related to an aircraft's flight, such as its call sign, aircraft type, altitude, destination, and any specific instructions or remarks from the air traffic controller. The key purpose of a flight strip is to provide a concise visual representation of an aircraft's movement within the airspace, enabling controllers to coordinate and organize flights effectively.
These flight strips are physically prepared or electronically generated and are attached to a holder or a rack, often in a chronological order reflecting the sequence of aircraft's arrival, departure, or other assigned movements. By using flight strips, air traffic controllers can easily track the progress of flights, monitor their spacing and separation, and promptly respond to any changes required in real-time.
The flight strip system plays a crucial role in improving communication and situational awareness between controllers, facilitating efficient flow management, and minimizing the risk of conflicts or accidents in the airspace. As aviation technology advances, electronic flight strip systems are increasingly replacing the traditional paper-based systems, offering enhanced functionalities, data integration, and automation capabilities for smoother air traffic control operations.
