First of all, ICAO in DOC4444 , chapter 12 gives two phraseology "options"
d) RADAR CONTACT [position];
e) IDENTIFIED [position];
Which means that somewhere there is a difference even tactful...?
Then there is 2 different definitions (DOC4444) :
Radar contact. The situation which exists when the radar position of a particular aircraft is seen and identified on a situation display.
Identification. The situation which exists when the position indication of a particular aircraft is seen on a situation display and positively identified.
Without to go into details in the subtile understanding of english language ( this is not my mother tongue !) those two definitions are different : in the second case there is a trend to think that the "positive" aspect is due to the "positive identification" performed by the ATCO for its own present need only on the traffic he is controlling
In the first case everything is already done, it 's just a confirmation of ATC service for the pilot understanding
And finally the ICAO DOC 4444 "radar service" chapter title has been changed some years ago into "ATS surveillance service"..Its' time to change "radar contact" phraseology in " ATS Surveillance Service contact"and reduce capacity by 10% to avoid frequency load.....
