TAXI OPERATIONS

Taxiing is the controlled movement of an airplane under its own power while on the ground, generally displacing an aircraft from its parking area to a runway.

Pilots must thoroughly understand and be proficient in taxi operations. Awareness of other aircraft departing, landing or taxiing and consideration for the right-of-way of others is essential to safety.

During taxi, our eyes should be outside, scanning to the sides and in front. We must be aware of the entire area around us, ensuring that we will clear all obstructions and other aircraft in our vicinity.

If in doubt about the clearance from an object, stop the airplane and have someone check the clearance. Towing may be necessary.

The primary requirements for safe taxiing are;

• positive control,
• the ability to recognise potential hazards in time to avoid them, &
• the ability to stop or turn where and when desired, without undue reliance on brakes.

Proceed at cautious speed on congested or busy ramps, normally at a rate where movement is dependent on the throttle. Steering is accomplished with the rudder pedals and brakes. Turn by applying rudder in desired direction and use whatever power or brake necessary to control the taxi speed.

When first starting to taxi and as soon as in motion, test your brakes for proper operation. Test both brakes individually, and then both together. If braking action is unsatisfactory, shut down the engine immediately.

The presence of winds during taxi makes the use of elevator necessary to maintain control of the pitch attitude. This become apparent when considering the lifting action created on our horizontal tail surfaces. The application of these crosswind taxi corrections help minimise the weather-vaning tendency and ultimately results in making the airplane easier to steer.

Normally, all turns should be started using the rudder pedals to steer the nosewheel. To tighten the turn after full pedal deflection is reached the brake may be applied as needed. When stopping, always stop with the nose wheel straight ahead to relieve any side load on the nose wheel.

THE ONE TO THE RIGHT HAS RIGHT-OF-WAY.

If head on with another aircraft: BOTH STOP. Alter heading to the RIGHT!

Aircraft being overtaken has right-of-way.