If an aircraft is out of lateral tolerance, which state will it revert to until it returns to within tolerance?

When an aircraft is determined to be out of lateral tolerance, it reverts to a state known as "Free Track." In this state, the aircraft's position is still monitored, but it's not actively being controlled or corrected for lateral deviations. Instead, the system allows the aircraft to move freely while still collecting data on its position.

This is essential for ensuring safety and managing air traffic effectively, as it acknowledges the deviation without immediately engaging control measures that might not be necessary—such as issuing instructions to correct the course. The system continues to track the aircraft until it returns within the acceptable lateral tolerance, at which point it can revert to a more active tracking state, allowing for more precise control as needed.

Understanding how aircraft tracking works in terms of tolerance and the different states of tracking is key for air traffic controllers, as it impacts how they manage flight paths and ensure safe distances between aircraft.