Whether you’re a military fighter pilot or a commercial one, you understand flying comprises many steps from takeoffs to landings. However, aircraft taxiing is one of the most crucial, especially since it’s used in preparation for many of these other steps. It also keeps planes organized on the runway, but what is it exactly? Learn more from the best flight school in Arizona here. 

What Is Aircraft Taxiing?

Aviation taxiing is when an airplane or other aircraft with wheels rolls off, on, or along the runway at a slow, consistent speed. Unlike towing, where a bunch of other vehicles surround the plane and physically pull or push it to its destination, taxiing occurs when the grounded vehicle moves on its own. It uses a propulsion system comprising propellers or jet engines to navigate at a certain set speed limit. 

Contrary to popular belief, airplane taxiing does not include the moments right before takeoff where the plane’s speed continues to accelerate until it lifts off the ground or touchdown as the plane slows to a halt after landing. It’s simply when the plane moves around the runway for other reasons.

When Is Aircraft Taxiing Necessary?

When flying as a mode of transportation, it’s important to know that each airport has a limited landing strip and runway. That means after one plane lands, it must move immediately so the next plane can land without disruptions or issues. So, after the initial landing rollout, the plane taxis to another part of the runway or into the terminal until a pilot uses it again. 

Similarly, since the plane cannot take off right at the terminal, it must make it onto a clear runway with space ahead to prepare for liftoff. Aircraft taxiing occurs right before the takeoff roll as the plane gets into position to take flight. 

Practices That Go into Taxiing 

Pilots must familiarize themselves with airport diagrams so they know which ramps, runways, and taxiways to use when entering and leaving new locations. 

Nowadays, technology helps with this process as portable devices project moving maps and displays that continue to update throughout the journey. Among these tech tools are Air Traffic Controllers who provide ATC clearance as the pilot approaches the landing area. Still, the pilot must know how to read signs and markings so they know where to land and where to taxi afterward. 

Reading the Signs and Markings

One of the most important things to understand about taxiways is that they comprise yellow markings (like taxi cabs), while runways are white. 

The taxiway centerline is the yellow line running parallel between the two yellow outer edge lines and should always be directly under the plane’s nose. The plane cannot pass the outer single or double solid edge lines except when an edge line turns into an intersection line. This occurs when the solid yellow line becomes dashed, meaning the plane can leave its current lane and enter another. 

Holding Positions and Their Meanings 

Another thing to be aware of from the cockpit is the holding positions. Runway holding positions usually comprise white numbers against a red background identifying the runway coming up at the end of the holding position. It also gives directions so the pilot knows whether to go left or right upon entering the runway, but how they enter the runway depends on the line markings.

A runway holding position may have solid double lines that indicate the plane must hold short, meaning it cannot move into the runway after aircraft taxiing unless it has received ATC clearance. However, if dashed lines paint the end of the holding position, they do not need taxi clearance and can enter when they know it’s safe. 

There are also ILS holding positions that give the pilot additional lateral and vertical guidance data in low visibility conditions so they can continue onto the runway and into the flight patch without issues. 

Proper Taxiing Procedures 

When in the terminal, the aircraft is connected to ground equipment that it must detach from before a vehicle tows the plane from the apron gate to the designated taxiway. Once the plane is far enough from the gate, the main engine turns on at its lowest speed and the tugging discontinues at the detachment point, which is when taxiing begins. The plane continues to move by itself to the head of the runway. 

The pilot maneuvers the plane with a 7% thrust paving the way for a 30-knot speed. However, to determine the taxi-out time, which is the time the plane spends on the ground between leaving the gate and takeoff, the pilot must look at the airport configuration and the distance between the gate and the runway head. 

With TaxiBot technology in the cockpit command interface, the pilot directly controls direction and speed during taxiing. 

Learn Taxiing Alongside Everything That Comes Before and After!

Aircraft taxiing is not always easy, but with the proper training and enough experience, it’s always straightforward. At Leopard Aviation LLC, our stellar team of certified instructors provides this and more, ensuring all flight students leave our courses with everything they need for guaranteed success. To become one of them, call 480-637-4217 and learn more about financing your flight training today!