Appropriate Cockpit Activities

• For safety reasons the pilot’s workload should be at a minimum during taxi operations

  • Complete pre-taxi checklists and data entry prior to taxi

  • All heads down activities should be done only when the aircraft is stopped

• A sterile cockpit should be implemented from taxi through climb to focus on taxiing/ATC instruction

  • No cell phones, conversations, or anything unnecessary to the duties of flight 

Taxi Planning, Review and Briefing

• Have a current copy of the Airport Diagram
• Large airports often have pre-designated taxi routes, review these for familiarity
• Based on the runway in use and usable taxiways, review the expected routes

• Always write down ATC taxi instructions to prevent mistakes

• Review the route given by ATC, ask for help in case of confusion

Taxiing Near Other Aircraft

• know your present location and mentally calculate the next location on the route that will require increased attention (crossing traffic, hot spot, etc.)

• Awareness is enhanced by understanding the clearance issued to pilots, other aircraft, and vehicles

  • Situational awareness.

• Be especially vigilant if another aircraft with a similar call sign is on frequency

  • Care should be taken to avoid inadvertently executing a clearance for another aircraft

  • Ask if you’re unsure of who the radio call was for

Hold Lines

Taxiway

ILS Holding Position Marker

Pay Attention to the the Taxiway Markings

• Indicate where an aircraft is supposed to stop when approaching a runway

• Unauthorized crossing of hold lines could result in an incursion with an aircraft taking off or landing

• During taxi:

  • If approaching hold lines from the dashed side, cross (no clearance necessary) and stop once fully passed the solid lines

  • If approaching hold lines from the solid side, do not cross without a clearance (All runway crossings require a clearance!)

Airports with a Control Tower

• Perform all the above (planning, briefing, review, etc.)
• Communicating with ATC
  • Use standard ATC phraseology at all times to facilitate clear and concise communication
  • When making initial contact, state who you are, where you are on the airport, what you want
  • Focus on the ATC clearance
    • Don’t perform any nonessential tasks while communicating with ATC
    • Eliminate expectation bias – Don’t assume you will be given the same clearance as before

• Read back all clearances and verify the route/clearance on the taxi diagram

Airports without a Control Tower

• Be familiar with the local traffic pattern direction and pattern altitude
• Be aware of the route and know where you and other aircraft are at all times

• Not all aircraft are radio-equipped; therefore, before entering or crossing a runway, scan the full length of the runway, including the final approach and departure paths 

• Monitor/communicate on the CTAF from engine start, taxi, and until 10 miles from the airport

  • including while arriving , monitor CTAF at least 10 miles out to get a feel for activity, including which runways might be in use and how busy the field is.

Exterior Lighting and Night Operations

• Exterior aircraft lights may be used to make an aircraft on the airport surface easier to see

  • Engines Running: Turn on the rotating beacon whenever an engine is running

  • Taxiing: Prior to commencing taxi, turn on navigation, position, and anti-collision lights

  • Crossing a Runway: All exterior lights should be illuminated when crossing a runway

• Be more cautious at night!!

  • Reduced visibility makes taxiing more difficult

  • Taxi slower

  • Look closely for taxiway markings