VATUSA
Virtual Air Traffic Simulation - USA Division
Issuing Taxi Instructions
Where is the aircraft?
If you do not know where the aircraft is, how can you possibly issue taxi instructions and separate it from other aircraft? If they do not tell you in the initial transmission where they are, and you are unsure do not hesitate to ask. "SAY POSITION (or request)."
Issuing Your First Taxi Instruction
When issuing a taxi instruction without a hold short statement, you should follow the following format: "TAXI TO (location) VIA (route) (additional instructions as necessary)"
You can add any additional information to the instruction as you feel necessary. What can you include here? Some examples include:
- Altimeter Information - If the pilot did not indicate previously that he has the ATIS, then you must issue the current altimeter. "ALTIMETER (altimeter)"
- Cautionary Information - If you feel there is something the aircraft should know about during his taxi, then you may issue a cautionary advisory to the aircraft. "CAUTION (aircraft/vehicles/stray animals/etc)"
Examples
"Skylane N1235T, Taxi to runway 33 via taxiway Mike, Hotel, Foxtrot. Altimeter 29.92".
"American 113, Taxi to runway 33 via Mike, Hotel, Foxtrot.
When you need to issue taxi instructions that include hold-short statements, you should use the following format.
RUNWAY (number),
TAXI/PROCEED VIA (route),
HOLD SHORT OF (runway number)
or
HOLD SHORT OF (location)
or
ON (taxi strip, runup, pad, etc.),
and if necessary,
TRAFFIC (traffic information),
or
FOR (reason).
Examples
“Skyhawk N5204N, Runway Three Six Left, taxi via taxiway Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.â€
“Skyhawk N5204N, Runway Three Six Left, taxi via Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven Right.â€
A hold short instruction is a phrase that tells the pilot to stop short of a particular runway/taxiway/intersection. There are many reasons why you would issue this instruction. A primary example would be if one of your aircraft wanted to cross an active taxiway. Since you as ground do not have jurisdiction over it, then you will have to coordinate prior to the aircraft crossing. Another example would be if you had an aircraft crossing in front of an aircraft on a perpendicular taxiway.
Aircraft are required to readback all hold short instructions so if the pilot fails to do so use the following phraseology: "READBACK ALL HOLD SHORT INSTRUCTIONS"
Before the aircraft gets to the point where you instructed it to hold short, you need to determine if its safe for him to continue. That means coordinating with the tower controller (if the aircraft is crossing an active runway). Once you obtain approval (if required), then you can use the following phraseology to have the aircraft continue taxi:
HOLD POSITION.
HOLD FOR (reason)
CROSS (runway/taxiway)
or
TAXI/CONTINUE TAXIING/PROCEED/VIA (route),
or
ON (runway number or taxiways, etc.),
or
TO (location),
or
(direction),
or
ACROSS RUNWAY (number).
or
VIA (route), HOLD SHORT OF (location)
or
FOLLOW (traffic) (restrictions as necessary)
or
BEHIND (traffic)
Examples
“Skylane N838OM, Cross Runway Two Eight Left.â€
“Skylane N838OM, Taxi to the hangar.â€
“Skylane N838OM, Continue taxiing straight ahead then via ramp to the hangar.â€
“Skylane N838OM, Proceed on Taxiway Charlie, hold short of Runway Two Seven.â€
Progressive Taxi Instructions
When a pilot requests "Progressive Taxi" it means that he needs step by step directions for navigating around the airport. When issuing progressive taxi instructions you would simply issue step-by-step directions/instructions. For the purposes of VATSIm you will only issue progressive taxi instructions if the pilot requests.
Helicopter Taxi Operations
There are three ways that helicopters can taxi: Surface Taxi, Hover Taxi, and Air Taxi. There are two videos below. On the left is a video of a helicopter preforming a Hover Taxi, and on the right, a helicopter preforming an Air Taxi.
Surface Taxi
A helicopter with wheels can taxi along the surface. You would issue the same instructions to these helicopters as you would issue to a fixed-winged aircraft.
Hover Taxi
Hover Taxi is a method that a helicopter can use to taxi to the runway. This method is "low and slow". Hover taxi authorizes a helicopter to taxi at speeds less then 20 knots and usually in ground effect.
"HOVER-TAXI TO (runway/location) VIA (route) (additional instructions as necessary)
CAUTION (dust, blowing snow, loose debris, taxiing light aircraft, personnel, etc.)"
Keep in mind an airborne helicopter can generate turbulence if large enough and therefore light aircraft should be advised of such. Also a hovering helo is more prone to jet blast from large aircraft and should again be advised of such a possibility.
Example
"Bell N121J, Hover-Taxi to Runway 27 via taxiway Mike. Caution Skyhawk on taxiway Kilo"
Air Taxi
Air Taxi authorizes a pilot to fly at speeds greater then 20 knots and at an altitude below 50FT AGL. Air Taxi is the preferred method of helicopter taxi operations around the airport.
AIR-TAXI:
VIA (direct, as requested, or specified route)
TO (location, heliport, helipad, operating/movement area, active/inactive runway).
AVOID (aircraft/vehicles/personnel).
If required,
REMAIN AT OR BELOW (altitude).
CAUTION (wake turbulence or other reasons above).
LAND AND CONTACT TOWER,
or
HOLD FOR (reason- takeoff clearance, release, landing/taxiing aircraft, etc.)
Example
"Bell N121J, Air Taxi via Foxtrot, Mike to Runway 27. Caution Skyhawk taxing on taxiway Kilo. Land and contact Tower"
If you learn the basics of a position, you'll deal with that position as a professional would. It is not as hard as it sounds but you must learn the phraseology, airport layout, and observe the traffic at all times to be good at it.
Good Luck!!
