What is the purpose of a 'flight strip' in air traffic control?

The purpose of a 'flight strip' in air traffic control is to serve as a physical or electronic record that tracks the progress and details of a flight. Flight strips contain critical information about an aircraft's flight, such as its identification, current position, intended route, altitude, and other pertinent details that air traffic controllers need to manage and monitor the flight effectively. This allows controllers to make informed decisions regarding air traffic coordination and ensures the safe separation of aircraft in busy airspace.

In addition to providing essential information at a glance, the use of flight strips facilitates communication among air traffic controllers as they exchange flight information, hand off control between sectors, and maintain situational awareness. The physical or electronic format means that these records can be quickly accessed and updated as necessary throughout the flight's progress.

While flight plans involve the outline of a planned route and altitude, they are distinct from flight strips, which are more dynamic records used during the flight's execution. Maintenance documents pertain to aircraft servicing, and communication tools are broader mechanisms that may include radios or systems for dialogue between pilots and air traffic control rather than specific records of a flight's status.