How is the identity of a beacon target confirmed after accepting a handoff?

The identity of a beacon target is confirmed after accepting a handoff primarily through observing an ident, code change, or STBY squawk. This process is crucial in air traffic control as it provides definitive verification that the target being handed off is indeed the intended aircraft.

When an aircraft is handed off between controllers, the receiving controller verifies the target by requesting the pilot to activate the transponder's identification feature (usually labeled as 'ident'). This causes the target to momentarily flash on the radar display, confirming its identity. Similarly, if the target's squawk code changes to a different assigned code or switches to standby mode, it serves as an additional confirmation of the target's identity.

While other options like performing a position check or syncing radar data can provide useful information regarding the target's location and status, they do not offer the same level of direct confirmation as the transponder responses. Estimating distance, on the other hand, is not a reliable method for confirming identity, as it does not provide definitive information about which aircraft is being tracked. Thus, observing an ident, code change, or STBY squawk is the most effective and accurate method for confirming a beacon target's identity post-handoff.