AC 91-73B Parts 91 and 135 Single Pilot, Flight School Procedures During Taxi Operations
- The ATC clearance entered into a FMC or other database scratchpad: 9R BEJ/4L E;
• Where the forward slash /, which represents the Hold Short line, proceed to the clearance limit of 4L at Echo;
- Symbols: Hold Short: (/), Cross (X);
- Then from the airport diagram, on a taxiway to make a left turn ( ), right turn ( ).
Radio communication is the primary method for pilots and ATC to communicate. The safety and efficiency of taxi operations at airports with operating control towers depends on this “communication loop.” Controllers use standard phraseology and require readbacks and other responses from the pilot in order to verify that the clearance is understood. It is the pilot’s responsibility to advise ATC when they do not understand an ATC clearance. Pilots should respond by using standard phraseology and include the aircraft’s complete call sign or registration number. Regulatory requirements, the AIM, approved flight training programs, and operational manuals provide information for pilots on standard ATC phraseology and communications requirements. The following are elements for clear communications. Pilots should:
(1) Use standard ATC phraseology at all times in order to facilitate clear and concise ATC/flightcrew communications. Be aware of the need for complete understanding of accents, terminology, and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures while operating at foreign airports.
(2) When making initial contact with any tower or ground controller, regardless of whether you previously stated your position to the previous controller, state who you are (make and registration number), where you are on the airport, what you want, and what you know. An example is: Cessna N1234, at SeaBreeze FBO, VFR to taxi, with information Alpha.
(3) Focus on the ATC clearance. Pilots should not perform any nonessential tasks while communicating with ATC. Given that many runway incursions occur even after the pilot reads back the “hold short” instruction, pilots should develop a technique to remind themselves to “hold short” of a hold line. For example, place something on an instrument knob or on top of the instrument panel, or hang it on the magnetic compass or the control yoke.
(4) Pilots are required to read back all clearances. Ensure that you include the complete call sign and runway designator when reading back a clearance to enter a specific runway, hold short of a runway, or taxi to LUAW. Avoid using “Roger” or “Wilco” in these instances.
(5) Pilots must actively monitor the assigned tower frequency or CTAF for potential conflicts involving their runway, or a crossing runway, when holding in position for takeoff and when on final approach. If not in use for a higher priority communication, the additional radio, if equipped, should be set to monitor guard frequency as a backup to stuck microphone or lost communications.
(6) Read back all takeoff and landing clearances, including the aircraft call sign and the runway designator, and, as applicable, state the intersection of the takeoff.
This paragraph suggests good operating practices regarding cockpit activities during taxi.
(1) Prior to taxiing, a current copy of the airport diagram should be available for use by the pilot. Review the taxi route and identify all airport-designated hot spots that are in or near the taxi route. The aircraft’s compass or heading display is an excellent tool, as a supplement visual orientation, or for confirming correct taxiway or runway alignment. It should be referred to as frequently as necessary, but especially at complex intersections and where the departure ends of two runways are close to one another.
(2) Pilots should complete all aircraft pretaxi checklist items and navigation data entry prior to taxi. So as not to distract from maintaining outside taxi vigilance, limit or eliminate all non-ATC communications. When approaching an entrance to a runway, pilots must be clear as to their clearance to either hold short of, cross, or enter the runway. If there is any doubt, the pilot should verify their clearance with ATC.
(3) When taxiing on an airport with a control tower, pilots must remember that the tower may lose communication capability at any time. To ensure you will not miss any tower communications, pilots should monitor guard frequency (if able) and scan the tower when taxiing or on a runway with a LUAW clearance.
(4) Low visibility conditions increase the risk of a runway incursion. During low visibility conditions, all resources available should be used during taxi. Resources include the airport diagram, the heading indicators, and airport signs, markings, and lighting. These resources help keep the aircraft on its assigned taxi route, and not crossing any runway hold lines without clearance. Therefore, it is extremely important that pilots perform all heads-down tasks (e.g., programming the FMS and calculating takeoff data) while the aircraft is stopped so they can maintain outside vigilance and SA.
(5) Any time the pilot is uncertain of their location on the airport or during taxi, stop the aircraft and immediately advise ATC, and, if necessary, request progressive taxi instructions. If located on a runway, immediately advise ATC and exit the runway as soon as possible. If unable to safely exit the runway due to low visibility conditions or other factors, immediately advise ATC. Remember that runways have white, segmented center lines; whereas taxiways have continuous, yellow center lines.
(6) When cleared to take off or cross a runway, or when exiting a runway, do so in a timely manner. Never exit the landing runway onto another runway without ATC clearance. ATC should also be informed of any anticipated delay for takeoff or of exiting a runway.
(7) Some cockpit displays of traffic information, (TCAS, Traffic Information System (TIS)) have the capability to display traffic behind the aircraft. When pilots are in LUAW, and waiting for takeoff clearance, these systems should be turned on to increase the pilot’s awareness of landing traffic.