When should radar services be provided to aircraft?

Radar services should be provided to aircraft when air traffic controllers are satisfied with the radar performance, ensuring optimal safety and effectiveness in the airspace. This approach takes into account the operational capability and reliability of the radar systems in use. For instance, if the radar is experiencing issues that compromise the accuracy of tracking aircraft or if there are significant limitations to the data provided, it would be inappropriate to offer radar services, as this might lead to communication errors or increased risk of incidents.

While it might seem beneficial to provide radar services whenever the equipment is functional or to follow standard regulations without regard to conditions, these options overlook the necessity of ensuring the radar performance is reliable enough to manage aircraft safely. Likewise, providing services only during instrument approaches does not account for the needs of aircraft operating in other phases of flight. Hence, the focus on controller satisfaction with radar performance guarantees that safety protocols are respected, especially when managing diverse air traffic.