"Radar Terrain"?

[Alex]

Hi guys,

Heard that phrase on the scanner reasonable often. For example "Eagle 302, descend to 3000ft radar terrain". Just wondering though, what does it mean, or what is it instructing the pilots to do?

Alex

[ZK-Brock]

On an airliners.net forum thread I found this:

'Radar Terrain' means that the radar controller is taking responsibility for terrain avoidance, especially when descending an aircraft below MSA. In Australia they say 'Radar Lowest Safe'.

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/te ... main/54101

This might not be correct however, towerguy might know the answer for sure

[Alex]

Quick as always Brock, and thanks for the MSN chat.

Alex

[towerguy]

yep
means the aircraft is being moved off track or given further descent and the controller is using the radar terrain map of the area to provide separation from the hard stuff.