What is Radar Monitoring?

Radar monitoring primarily involves the ongoing observation and tracking of aircraft positions and movements using radar technology. This process ensures that air traffic control can manage an aircraft's flight path efficiently and safely, which includes providing vital information to pilots about their position, altitude, and route.

In the context of the provided options, flight following refers to the method by which air traffic control, while monitoring radar data, keeps track of aircraft and ensures they are operating within navigational guidelines. This involves providing necessary updates and information to pilots so that they can maintain safe flight operations.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of radar monitoring. Continuous alignment checks focus more on calibrating equipment rather than active monitoring of aircraft. Vectoring instructions are a part of air traffic control services but are not the sole function of radar monitoring, which is broader and includes tracking, communication, and situational awareness. The separation of aircraft according to minima relates specifically to maintaining safe distance standards but does not fully represent the ongoing nature of radar monitoring, which entails consistent tracking and communication with multiple aircraft simultaneously.