1. Best Practices for Taxi Operations at Towered & Non-Towered Airports
Section 4
Best Practices for Taxi Operations at Towered & Non-Towered Airports

2. Challenges facing Air Crews and Air Traffic Controllers
Taxi operations may be difficult and hazardous
Aircrew workload during taxi has increased

3. Challenges facing Air Crews and Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic volume increases yearly
Air Traffic System is more complex
Airport layout design is more complicated
Technology improvements at airports have not kept pace with demand

4. Taxi Operations at Towered Airports Conduct Pre-Taxi Planning
Study airport diagram BEFORE taxi
Identify complex intersections and potential runway crossings
Plan timing of checklists and conduct them while stopped
Plan timing of company communications
Listen to ATIS
CAUTION: Follow the taxi clearance or instructions that are ACTUALLY received and not those EXPECTED to be received.

5. Write Down Taxi Instructions
Copying complex taxi instructions can reduce a pilot’s vulnerability to forgetting.
“Cessna 34 Papa Uniform, taxi to Runway 19 right, at Alpha 3 intersection departure, via Taxiway Charlie to Taxiway Alpha, hold short of Runway 19 right.”
NOTE: Common sense should be used in determining this need. Don’t be afraid to ask for “progressive taxi directions”

6. Maintain Situational Awareness
Be vigilant if instructed to “taxi into position and hold”
Be extremely cautious when directed to use a runway as a taxiway

7. Maintain Situational Awareness (con’t)
Monitor ATC instructions issued
to other aircraft
LOOK before crossing intersecting
taxiways or runways

8. Use extra caution Maintain Situational Awareness (con’t) At Night
or in periods of reduced visibility

9. Maintain Situational Awareness (con’t)
Know where you are and where you’re going
Use utmost caution when exiting the runway if the exit taxiway intersects with another runway (see next three examples)

10. Note: Because of the relative short Taxiway D stub, the hold markings are not SEQUENCED in the “usual order” as one would expect to see exiting either runway.
Following landing, blue aircraft has been instructed to “hold short” Runway 4. Blue aircraft is expected to hold at this position even if the aircraft has not cleared the landing runway and remains inside the safety area for Runway 35. Follow ATC instructions.
Runway Safety Area for 35
Runway Safety Area for 4 D 35 4 35 4 D

11. 32R 14R 32L Runway Safety Area 14L/32R Runway Safety Area 14R/32L
Following landing, the orange aircraft has been instructed to “hold short” Runway 14L. THE ORANGE AIRCRAFT IS EXPECTED TO HOLD AT THIS POSITION EVEN IF IT HAS NOT CLEARED THE LANDING RUNWAY AND REMAINS INSIDE THE SAFETY AREA FOR RUNWAY 14R/32L. (black circle)
Runway Safety Area 14R/32L
14R
32L

12. 32R 14R 32L Runway Safety Area 14L/32R Runway Safety Area 14L/32R
Following landing the blue aircraft is expected to clear the hold position marking associated with the landing runway (black circle) unless otherwise instructed by ATC. The orange aircraft has been instructed to “hold short” Runway 14L.
Runway Safety Area 14L/32R
32R
Runway Safety Area 14L/32R
Runway Safety Area 14R/32L
14R
32L

13. Coordinate Crew Communications
On taxi instructions for takeoff
On identifying runway intersections
On identifying the correct departure runway
On performing other “heads down” cockpit tasks

14. Coordinate Crew Communications
On landing and hold short clearance
On ATC instructions to parking
Before crossing hold short lines

15. Maintain the “Communication Loop”
Maintain a “sterile cockpit”
Use standard ATC phraseology
Focus on what ATC is instructing
Read back all hold short and runway crossing instructions.
NOTE: Air Traffic Controllers are required to obtain from the pilot a readback of all runway hold short instructions

16. THE TWO MOST COMMON PILOT ERRORS RESULT IN RUNWAY INCURSIONS ARE:
Taxiing onto the runway after acknowledging
ATC “hold short” instructions.
Taking off without clearance.

17. As the pilot of either aircraft, what should you be listening for?
Aircraft #1 is holding on the runway for an intersection departure runway 14 at taxiway Echo while aircraft #2, is told to “taxi into position and hold”.
Potential “TRAP
A/C 2
As the pilot of either aircraft,
what should you be listening for?
A/C 1
Answer: ATC will soon give takeoff clearance to one of the aircraft holding on the runway. Ensure that clearance is directed to A/C 1.

18. As the pilot of aircraft 2,
Aircraft # 1 is landing runway 35L and told to “If able, turn right Taxiway Kilo” while aircraft # 2 is given landing clearance to same runway.
As the pilot of aircraft 2,
what are you expecting to happen?
Answer: As pilot of A/C 2 you are expecting A/C 1 to clear the runway prior to your crossing the runway threshold or ATC to instruct you to “go around”.
A/C 2
A/C 1

19. Keep “Heads UP” When Taxiing
PRIOR TO TAXI, have a copy of and be familiar with the airport diagram
Use the compass or heading display to supplement orientation
Use all resources during “low” visibility taxiing
If uncertain of position, STOP and advise ATC
Inform ATC of any delay on runway when crossing or taking off

20. DO NOT exit onto another runway after landing without ATC clearance.
CAUTION
DO NOT exit onto another runway after landing without ATC clearance.
DO NOT stop on a runway. If possible, taxi off the runway and then initiate communications with ATC to regain your orientation.

21. Recommend Review Advisory Circulars
AC and AC
These circulars contain information concerning flight crew procedures during taxi operations.
Additional information on this subject can be obtained from the local Flight Standards District Office

22. Use Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) - always!
Taxi Operations at NON-TOWERED Airports
or at airports without an operating control tower
Use Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) - always!
CAUTION: Some aircraft operating at the airport may not be radio equipped.
Familiarize yourself with the local traffic pattern. Not all airports use a standard traffic pattern.
Be especially alert during calm winds. Aircraft may be utilizing an instrument approach to a runway other than the one in use for VFR operations..
Remember to check Airport Facility Directories, NOTAMS, and airport web sites for site specific information.

23. Use CTAF - always! Taxi Operations at NON-TOWERED Airports
or at airports without an operating control tower
Use CTAF - always!
Use extreme caution when operating from a runway where the opposite end of the runway is not visible.
CAUTION: Some aircraft operating at the airport may not be radio equipped.

24. Use CTAF - always! Taxi Operations at NON-TOWERED Airports
or at airports without an operating control tower
Be vigilant if terrain features blocks the view of the approach end of crossing runways.
CAUTION: Some aircraft operating at the airport may not be radio equipped.
Use CTAF - always!

25. Scan the full length of the runway before crossing
Taxi Operations at NON-TOWERED Airports
Scan the full length of the runway before crossing
Maintain a “Sterile Cockpit”
Use CTAF - always!

26. CTAF – Use It! Avoid a Surface Incident At Towered Airports
Self Announce Your Position and Intentions
At Towered Airports
(when the tower is not operating)
and
at Non-Towered Airports
Check Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) for Frequencies
CTAF this airport: ___________________
A Fully Developed Surface Incident = An ACCIDENT!

27. Where is the hold position?
Maintain Situational Awareness
Hold Sign
Hold Line
Monitor the appropriate frequency for other traffic activity
Monitor approach control, if possible, to alert you to IFR traffic inbound
Use exterior lighting to be more conspicuous
Where is the hold position?

28. Communications at Non-Towered Airports
Ensure your radio is tuned to the appropriate CTAF frequency
Listen before transmitting
Always state the name of the airport at the beginning and end of the transmission
Transmit intentions clearly but be brief
Use your full call sign when broadcasting

29. Recommend Review Advisory Circulars AC 90-42 and AC 90-66
These circulars contain information concerning
operations at airports WITHOUT operating Control Towers.
Additional information on this subject can be obtained from the local Flight Standards District Office

30. WHETHER YOU FLY INTO HERE…..

31. OR HERE…..

32. OR HERE…

33. LOOK, LISTEN, and
EXPECT the unexpected!

34. If You Operate From a Towered or Non-towered Airport
Plan Your Taxi Route
Understand Your Taxi Route
Execute Your Taxi Route!
End of Section 4