Departure and/or arrival routes that are adapted in ARTCC ERAM computers to accomplish inter/intrafacility controller coordination and to ensure that flight data is posted at the proper control positions. Adapted routes are automatically applied to flight plans where appropriate. When the workload or traffic situation permits, controllers may provide radar vectors or assign requested routes to minimize circuitous routing. Adapted routes are usually confined to one ARTCC’s area and are referred to by the following names or abbreviations:

1. Adapted Arrival Route (AAR). A specific arrival route from an appropriate en route point to an airport or terminal area. A Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) and/or a partial Preferred IFR Route may be included in an AAR.
2. Adapted Departure Route (ADR). A specific departure route from an airport or terminal area to an en route point where there is no further need for flow control. An Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) and/or a partial Preferred IFR Route may be included in an ADR.
3. Adapted Departure and Arrival Route (ADAR). A route between two terminals which are within or immediately adjacent to one ARTCC’s area. ADARs are similar to Preferred IFR Routes and may share components, but they are not synonymous.

Listed in the Pilot/Controller Glossary as a cross-reference to ADAPTED ROUTES, whose text is shown above.

Source FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary↗ · checked 2026-08-25