Ground operations and taxi communications
This section covers ground operations and taxi communications: how to request, read back and comply with taxi clearances without entering a runway unintentionally.
Core rules
- Ground control manages taxiing; tower manages runway operations. Do not change frequency without instruction or a published procedure.
- A taxi clearance normally contains a route and, where needed, a hold-short instruction. Read back the full route and every hold-short instruction.
- “Line up and wait” is a runway-entry instruction, not a take-off clearance. Only “cleared for take-off” authorises take-off.
- Crossing an active runway requires an explicit clearance. A taxi clearance that includes “cross runway 18L” must be read back in full.
- If a clearance is unclear or you are unsure of your position, stop and ask; do not guess.
Worked example
“Lagos Ground, 5N-ABC, Cessna 172, at GA apron, request taxi to holding point Alpha for runway 18L.” Ground: “5N-ABC, taxi to holding point Alpha via Bravo, hold short runway 18L.” Pilot: “Taxi to holding point Alpha via Bravo, hold short runway 18L, 5N-ABC.” The readback includes the route and the hold-short restriction, which is the safety-critical part.
Traps
Reading back “hold” instead of “hold short”; assuming “line up and wait” allows take-off; crossing a runway without an explicit instruction; and failing to stop at the hold-short marking.