TRACON
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Aviation
| Stands for | Terminal radar approach control |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
TRACON stands for Terminal radar approach control, an aviation abbreviation.
ATC facility that handles aircraft arriving at and departing from one or more busy airports, typically within 30 to 50 nautical miles and up to around 17,000 feet. Pilots hear TRACON controllers on the radio as "Approach" or "Departure."
Example: Southern California TRACON handles arrivals into LAX, San Diego, Burbank and many other airports from one building in San Diego.
Usage notes
Pronounced "TRAY-con." Large consolidated facilities include Southern California (SCT), Potomac (PCT) and New York (N90). ICAO calls the equivalent unit an approach control unit. TRACON controllers hand aircraft to the tower near the airport and to an ARTCC as they climb out of terminal airspace.
Related abbreviations
More aviation abbreviations
- SVFR – Special visual flight rules
- TA – Traffic advisory
- TAF – Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
- TAS – True airspeed
- TCAS – Traffic alert and collision avoidance system
- TFR – Temporary flight restriction
- TSA PreCheck – Transportation Security Administration PreCheck
- UAS – Unmanned aircraft system
- UAV – Unmanned aerial vehicle
- ULCC – Ultra-low-cost carrier
- UNICOM – Universal communications
- V1 – Takeoff decision speed