Aerodromes, Landing Areas and Ground Operations
Aerodromes, landing areas and ground operations cover the physical environment and the rules for moving aircraft on the ground. The exam tests runway and taxiway markings, circuit procedures, hold-short instructions and runway-incursion avoidance.
Aerodrome knowledge
Part 139 sets standards for certificated aerodromes; Part 91 governs aircraft operations at aerodromes. Know the markings: threshold, centreline, touchdown zone, aiming point, displaced threshold, runway holding position (yellow bars) and taxiway centreline. The wind direction indicator is the primary local wind reference. The standard circuit is left-hand unless a right-hand circuit is specified, and the usual circuit height is 1000 ft AGL. Join downwind or by an overhead join as published.
Ground operations
At a controlled aerodrome, taxi requires a clearance. A taxi clearance does not authorise entering or crossing a runway. Stop at the runway holding point and read back hold-short instructions. Never cross a runway without an explicit clearance. Give way to aircraft on the runway and use marshalling signals when directed.
Worked example
A pilot is cleared to taxi to holding point A1 for runway 05. The clearance does not authorise crossing or entering runway 05. The pilot stops at the holding point, reads back, and waits for 'line up and wait' or 'cleared for take-off'.
Traps
- Treating a taxi clearance as a take-off clearance.
- Stopping on the holding point rather than before it.
- Assuming the circuit is always left-hand.
- Crossing a runway without an explicit clearance.
- Ignoring the wind indicator because ATIS gave a wind.