What is the purpose of flight progress strips?

The purpose of flight progress strips is primarily to record data related to air traffic and clearances. These strips are essential tools used by air traffic controllers to efficiently manage and coordinate the flow of air traffic. Each strip contains critical information about an aircraft's flight plan, including its route, altitude, and any clearances granted by air traffic control.

This visual representation allows controllers to quickly access and update information as flights progress, ensuring that they maintain situational awareness and effective communication with pilots. The organized display of data on these strips aids in tracking multiple aircraft simultaneously, facilitating safer and more efficient air traffic management.

Storing weather data, tracking aircraft speed, or calculating fuel consumption, while relevant in different contexts, do not represent the primary function of flight progress strips in the air traffic control environment.