During a physical handoff, what is the primary action taken by the transferring controller?

The primary action taken by the transferring controller during a physical handoff is to physically point out the target on the receiving controller's display. This action ensures that the receiving controller is visually aware of the aircraft being handed off and allows for a clear transition of responsibility for the aircraft’s navigation and communication.

Physically pointing out the target helps confirm that both controllers are focused on the same aircraft, minimizing the potential for miscommunication or oversight. It serves as a crucial visual confirmation, reinforcing the transfer of responsibility and ensuring that the receiving controller has a clear understanding of the aircraft's current position and status.

Other actions, while important in the overall handoff process, do not serve as the primary means of transferring responsibility in this context. For instance, issuing a verbal command, although necessary, does not provide the same level of visual confirmation. Highlighting the aircraft on radar and changing the aircraft’s data block are additional steps that may accompany the handoff process, but they do not fulfill the primary action of establishing clear visual communication between controllers.