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Single-Pilot Procedures During Taxi Operations at Tower-Controlled Airports
Conduct Pre-Taxi Planning
- Study airport diagram BEFORE taxi
- Identify complex intersections
- Plan timing of checklists
- Listen to and copy ATIS
Write Down Taxi Instructions
- Write down taxi instructions
- Request PROGRESSIVE TAXI if you’re not familiar with the route
- Use GPS taxi map if available
Maintain Situational Awareness
- Know where you are and where you are going
- Monitor ATC instructions to other aircraft
- Look TWICE before crossing intersections
- Be vigilant with “position and hold” clearance
- Use extra caution at night or in poor visibility
- Be extremely cautious taxiing on a runway
- Use caution exiting a runway if it intersects another runway
Manage Cockpit Communications
- Brief “sterile cockpit rule” with your passengers or use intercom isolation switch
- Read back all clearances
- Do not assume you think you know your clearance–query if you have any questions
- Program GPS, tune radios and run checklists only when at a complete stop
- Immediately stop and query ATC if you don’t know where your are or where you’re cleared to go
Remain in the Communications Loop
- Maintain a “sterile cockpit” with eyes outside the airplane
- Use standard ATC phraseology
- Focus on what ATC is instructing you and other airplanes to do
- Read back all hold short and crossing instructions
- Always clarify any questions or confusion
- Remember YOU are pilot-in-command!
