AIM
4/3/14
4−3−19
Airport Operations
3.
If takeoff is requested from nonmovement
areas, an area not authorized for helicopter use, an
area not visible from the tower, an unlighted area at
night, or an area off the airport, the phraseology
“DEPARTURE FROM (requested location) WILL
BE AT YOUR OWN RISK (additional instructions,
as necessary). USE CAUTION (if applicable).” The
pilot is responsible for operating in a safe manner and
should exercise due caution.
4.
Similar phraseology is used for helicopter
landing operations. Every effort will be made to
permit helicopters to proceed direct and land as near
as possible to their final destination on the airport.
Traffic density, the need for detailed taxiing
instructions, frequency congestion, or other factors
may affect the extent to which service can be
expedited. As with ground movement operations, a
high degree of pilot/controller cooperation and
communication is necessary to achieve safe and
efficient operations.
4
−
3
−
18. Taxiing
a. General.
Approval must be obtained prior to
moving an aircraft or vehicle onto the movement area
during the hours an Airport Traffic Control Tower is
in operation.
1.
Always state your position on the airport
when calling the tower for taxi instructions.
2.
The movement area is normally described in
local bulletins issued by the airport manager or
control tower. These bulletins may be found in FSSs,
fixed base operators offices, air carrier offices, and
operations offices.
3.
The control tower also issues bulletins
describing areas where they cannot provide ATC
service due to nonvisibility or other reasons.
4.
A clearance must be obtained prior to taxiing
on a runway, taking off, or landing during the hours
an Airport Traffic Control Tower is in operation.
5.
A clearance must be obtained prior to
crossing any runway. ATC will issue an explicit
clearance for all runway crossings.
6.
When assigned a takeoff runway, ATC will
first specify the runway, issue taxi instructions, and
state any hold short instructions or runway crossing
clearances if the taxi route will cross a runway. This
does not authorize the aircraft to “enter” or “cross”
the assigned departure runway at any point. In order
to preclude misunderstandings in radio communica-
tions, ATC will not use the word “cleared” in
conjunction with authorization for aircraft to taxi.
7.
When issuing taxi instructions to any point
other than an assigned takeoff runway, ATC will
specify the point to taxi to, issue taxi instructions, and
state any hold short instructions or runway crossing
clearances if the taxi route will cross a runway.
NOTE
−
ATC is required to obtain a readback from the pilot of all
runway hold short instructions.
8.
If a pilot is expected to hold short of a runway
approach (“APPCH”) area or ILS holding position
(see FIG 2−3−15, Taxiways Located in Runway
Approach Area), ATC will issue instructions.
9.
When taxi instructions are received from the
controller, pilots should always read back:
(a)
The runway assignment.
(b)
Any clearance to enter a specific runway.
(c)
Any instruction to hold short of a specific
runway or line up and wait.
Controllers are required to request a readback of
runway hold short assignment when it is not received
from the pilot/vehicle.
b.
ATC clearances or instructions pertaining to
taxiing are predicated on known traffic and known
physical airport conditions. Therefore, it is important
that pilots clearly understand the clearance or
instruction. Although an ATC clearance is issued for
taxiing purposes, when operating in accordance with
the CFRs, it is the responsibility of the pilot to avoid
collision with other aircraft. Since “the pilot−in−com-
mand of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is
the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft”
the pilot should obtain clarification of any clearance
or instruction which is not understood.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, General, Paragraph 7
1.
Good operating practice dictates that pilots
acknowledge all runway crossing, hold short, or
takeoff clearances unless there is some misunder-
standing, at which time the pilot should query the
controller until the clearance is understood.