In radar identification, Primary means you can do what?

In radar identification, Primary means you can do what?

• A. Transponder reply
• B. Radar mapping
• C. See a target on primary radar
• D. Pilot position report

Answer: (C)

Primary radar is about detecting objects by their own reflected signal, without needing the aircraft to cooperate with a transponder. So, you can see the aircraft as a target on the primary radar display even if the transponder is off or not replying. That’s the essence of what “primary” identification means. The other options involve transponder replies (secondary radar), radar mapping (not the identification aspect of primary radar), or pilot position reports (which come from the pilot, not from the radar echo).

Primary radar is about detecting objects by their own reflected signal, without needing the aircraft to cooperate with a transponder. So, you can see the aircraft as a target on the primary radar display even if the transponder is off or not replying. That’s the essence of what “primary” identification means. The other options involve transponder replies (secondary radar), radar mapping (not the identification aspect of primary radar), or pilot position reports (which come from the pilot, not from the radar echo).