Taxi Clearance

[MiragePilot]

What is the difference between a ground control clearance to taxi and a clearance to taxi to a specific runway?
I am doing my presolo written and can't seem to find it. Could someone tell me where this is in the FAR/AIM.
Thanks

PS Also do airport ground controllers and in flight controllers have the same authority?

 

[dabandermac]

A clearance to a specific runway gives you permission to cross any runways while taxiing in order to get to the active runway, while a taxi clearance gives you permission to taxi but will often include instructions on holding short of particular taxiways/runways.

for example, if controller says "Nxxxxx, taxi to 18," then you have permission to taxi to 18 with no restrictions of crossing runways/taxiways enroute. if the tower says something to the effect of "nxxxxx, taxi to foxtrot, hold short on foxtrot of 14," then you are to do exactly that, & NOT cross 14 on foxtrot.

Ground controllers and flight controllers have different authority. Ground controllers give taxi instructions, and flight (tower) controllers have authority for takeoff/landing clearance. Contact tower when holding short of active runway.

The info above is to the best of my knowledge correct. I am a student pilot w/ 44 hrs, prepping for my checkride. CFI's chime in if I'm wrong.

Fly safe,
CV

 

[DA50pilot]

Check your PM's

 

[Flechas]

A clearance to a specific runway gives you permission to cross any runways while taxiing in order to get to the active runway, while a taxi clearance gives you permission to taxi but will often include instructions on holding short of particular taxiways/runways.

for example, if controller says "Nxxxxx, taxi to 18," then you have permission to taxi to 18 with no restrictions of crossing runways/taxiways enroute. if the tower says something to the effect of "nxxxxx, taxi to foxtrot, hold short on foxtrot of 14," then you are to do exactly that, & NOT cross 14 on foxtrot.



Fly safe,
CV

Correction, when you are cleared to taxi to a runway, you can go whichever way you like, you are only cleared to cross an active runway when you hear the words "cleared to cross runway XX", other than that you are free to get there via A or B, unless told "taxi runway xx via A and C"

 

[Vector4fun]

I believe this is the section you are looking for

AIM 4-3-18. Taxiing

5. When ATC clears an aircraft to "taxi to" an assigned takeoff runway, the absence of holding instructions authorizes the aircraft to "cross" all runways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned takeoff runway. It does not include authorization to "taxi onto" or "cross" the assigned takeoff runway at any point. In order to preclude misunderstandings in radio communications, ATC will not use the word "cleared" in conjunction with authorization for aircraft to taxi.

6. In the absence of holding instructions, a clearance to "taxi to" any point other than an assigned takeoff runway is a clearance to cross all runways that intersect the taxi route to that point.

So when you've been authorized to taxi to a particular runway, and if you have not been given any hold short restrictions, you may cross any other runway on your way to the assigned runway. You may not cross or enter the assigned departure runway at any time, unless specifically authorized to do so.

If you've just been authorized to taxi to another point on the airport, (in the absense of any hold short instructions), you may cross any runways along your route.

Caveat: Implied is the idea you'll take a logical and reasonably direct route to your destination on the airport, not a sight-seeing tour.

Always read back any hold short instructions. In fact, untill you gain some experience, read back the entire taxi clearance if you can do so promptly.

PS Also do airport ground controllers and in flight controllers have the same authority?

Yes, we all rotate through all positions in the facility. The guy or gal working Approach or Finals on Tue may often be working Ground Control or Clearance Delivery on Wed. At the largest airports though, the Tower and Approach Controls are considered different facilities, and may not be located in the same place....

Did that help?

 

[Workin'Stiff]

One thing to be careful of is that if you hear runways X and Y are active in the atis, and you are instructed to taxi to runway y (which your taxi route crosses runway X), make sure you hold short of runway X until you're instructed to cross it. I know the FAA has been cracking down on ground controllers to ensure they don't issue a blanket taxi instruction like that without including the holdshort. It can really bite ya...

Side note - I guess my response might sound alittle different than the one above. If I'm issued a taxi instruction which includes taxiing across an active runway, I will always clarify it with the ground controller... Better safe than sorry...

 

[Vector4fun]

It really depends on the airport layout and local procedures. Some airports will define runways XX and YY active, and all others "belong" to Ground Control (he/she can taxi on or across the in-active runways all day long unless otherwise coordinated). At other airports, all the runways will normally be considered active, and Ground Control cannot authorize an aircraft to cross any runway without checking with the Local (Tower) controller first. In that case, you'll almost always get a restriction to hold short of all runways...

 

[Metro752]

there is no such thing as a taxi clearance

 

[Vector4fun]

there is no such thing as a taxi clearance

FAA 7110.65 Controller's Handbook
3-7-2. TAXI AND GROUND MOVEMENT OPERATIONS

Issue, as required or requested, the route for the aircraft/vehicle to follow on the movement area in concise and easy to understand terms. When a taxi clearance to a runway is issued to an aircraft, confirm the aircraft has the correct runway assignment.


Call it what you will, the above is out of the .65.

I believe you may be thinking of the restriction against using the word "Cleared" when issuing taxi instructions. (ppgh 3-7-1-b) That's to prevent some eager beaver from mis-interpreting a taxi clearance as a clearance for TO or landing.​

 

[Metro752]

yes you're right. that is what I was confusing. I am wrong. Thanks for the clearing that clearance clarity problem I had