When can control of an aircraft be officially transferred?

The transfer of control of an aircraft is officially recognized once all potential conflicts with other aircraft have been effectively eliminated. This principle ensures that the safety of all air traffic is maintained during the handover process. In air traffic management, it is critical to have a clear understanding of the aircraft's position, its intent, and the intentions of surrounding traffic to avoid any possibility of mid-air collisions or conflicts.

While a pilot's request for control is an important part of the communication process between the pilot and air traffic control, it must be accompanied by the operational safety assurance that no conflicting traffic exists. Similarly, ATC must prioritize safety, which typically governs their decisions on when to transfer control, rather than arbitrary timelines or internal processes. Visual confirmation can be beneficial, especially in specific visual flight rules scenarios, but it is not a standard requirement for control transfer within instrument flight rules or in busy airspace where reliance on radar and communication is the norm. This makes the priority of eliminating potential conflicts the most appropriate condition for a formal handoff.