Owais Crawford
If you've ever wondered why it takes so long to get from the airport gate to the runway, you're not alone. This process, known as taxiing, is the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, from one place to another at the airport. Typically, an aircraft taxies on wheels, but some aircraft with skis or floats can also taxi on water. While taxiing, the aircraft moves slowly, allowing it to be stopped quickly if needed and preventing wheel damage on larger aircraft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of taxiing | The movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, in contrast to towing or pushback |
| Average time | 10 minutes to taxi out from the gate to the runway for takeoff |
| 5 minutes to taxi in from the runway to the gate | |
| Speed | 16 to 19 kn (30 to 35 km/h; 18 to 22 mph) |
| Purpose | To get the aircraft from point A to point B at an airport |
| To move the aircraft out to the runway, ready for takeoff | |
| To move the aircraft to a gate or remote stand for disembarkment | |
| To move the aircraft to a hangar | |
| To move the aircraft to a parking position at the gate | |
| To move the aircraft to a taxi rank at the railway station |
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What You'll Learn
- Taxiing refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power
- Pilots must steer the plane when taxiing
- It takes around 10 minutes to taxi from the gate to the runway
- Aircraft travel slowly during taxiing to ensure they can be stopped quickly
- Taxiways are named after letters and, if necessary, additional digits
Taxiing refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power
Taxiing typically involves the use of an aircraft's jet engines or propellers to move from one place to another within an airport. This can include moving from a terminal or gate to the runway, or from the runway to a gate or remote stand for disembarkment. The aircraft usually moves on wheels, but the term "taxiing" can also refer to aircraft with skis or floats for water-based travel.
During taxiing, aircraft travel slowly, at a speed that can be compared to a brisk walking pace. This slow speed ensures that the plane can be stopped quickly and also prevents wheel damage on larger aircraft if they accidentally turn off the paved surface. Taxi speeds typically range from 16 to 19 knots (30 to 35 km/h; 18 to 22 mph).
Pilots must steer the aircraft during taxiing, using the same control systems as when flying. They can turn the nose wheel or rudder to change direction while on the runway or taxiway. To navigate the correct path, pilots use detailed airport charts and technology such as moving map displays. Taxiway signage, which is standardized worldwide, also helps guide pilots to the correct runway or gate.
Taxiing can be a challenging manoeuvre, especially at major aviation hubs or large airports with multiple taxiways. It requires concentration and adherence to various regulations. Additionally, due to the design of aircraft engines, taxiing can result in high energy consumption. As a result, there is ongoing development in propulsion systems for ground manoeuvres to reduce energy usage during taxiing.
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Pilots must steer the plane when taxiing
Taxiing is the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, as opposed to being towed or pushed back. The term is typically applied to aircraft with wheels, but it can also refer to floatplanes and aircraft with skis, which are used in water travel. An aircraft will travel very slowly during taxiing, as this ensures that it can be stopped quickly and that there is no risk of wheel damage if it accidentally turns off the paved surface.
Pilots must be extremely precise when steering an aircraft, and it is easy for them to lose track of the taxiway they are supposed to take. Therefore, they use GPS to guide them to their destination seamlessly. Pilots also rely on technology, such as moving map displays, to guide the aircraft through the airport. They also use detailed airport charts, which show the layout of the airport, including taxiways, runways, stands, and ramps. Additionally, pilots must follow specific taxi and ground movement procedures, which include instructions on where and when to cross runways and taxiways.
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It takes around 10 minutes to taxi from the gate to the runway
The term "taxiing" refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, as it moves from one place to another within an airport. This could be from a gate to a runway, or vice versa. The term is typically applied to aircraft with wheels, but it can also refer to floatplanes and aircraft with skis for water travel.
When an aircraft is taxiing, it moves at a slow speed, similar to a brisk walking pace, which is usually between 16 to 19 knots (30 to 35 km/h; 18 to 22 mph). This slow speed ensures that the plane can be stopped quickly if needed and also prevents wheel damage on larger aircraft if they accidentally turn off the paved surface. Additionally, aircraft must restrict their use of jet thrust near airport terminals to avoid jet blast damage.
The time it takes to taxi from the gate to the runway can vary depending on the airport layout, traffic conditions, and other factors. On average, it can take around 10 minutes or even more to taxi from the gate to the runway at some airports. For example, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has an average taxi time of 12.7 minutes, while some airports in the Americas, such as Bogotá International and New York JFK, have average taxi-out times of over 20 minutes.
To navigate the airport taxiways, pilots rely on technology, such as moving map displays, and also refer to detailed airport charts that show the layout of runways, taxiways, and other important information. The yellow lines on the taxiways, known as ILS holding position markings, guide pilots and help them stay within the designated areas.
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Aircraft travel slowly during taxiing to ensure they can be stopped quickly
Taxiing refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, as it moves from one place to another within airport grounds. Typically, aircraft move on wheels, but the term taxiing also applies to aircraft with skis or floats for water-based travel. The act of taxiing does not include the accelerating run along a runway before takeoff or the decelerating run after landing (these are called the takeoff roll and landing rollout, respectively). Instead, taxiing refers to the movement of an aircraft from a hangar to the runway, or from the runway to a gate or remote stand for disembarkment.
Aircraft travel slowly during taxiing, typically at speeds of 16 to 19 knots (30 to 35 km/h; 18 to 22 mph). This slow speed ensures that the aircraft can be stopped quickly if needed. Travelling at a slow speed also helps to prevent wheel damage on larger aircraft if they accidentally turn off the paved surface. Additionally, pilots may taxi more slowly if their assigned gate is occupied or if their takeoff time is still several minutes away. This prevents the plane from having to wait idly at the runway holding area. Slower taxiing speeds can also help passengers feel more at ease.
The pilot conducting the taxiing has a lot of influence on the experience. Some pilots may go as fast as possible, while others may taxi well below the limits. Hard-and-fast limits are in place to regulate taxi speeds, and airlines may impose slower speeds during low-visibility, rainy, or icy conditions.
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Taxiways are named after letters and, if necessary, additional digits
Taxiing refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, using its own power (usually wheels, but also skis or floats for water-based travel), to get from one place to another within an airport. The term "taxiing" does not refer to the accelerating or decelerating runs before takeoff or after landing, respectively. Instead, it refers to the movement of the aircraft from a hangar to the runway, or from the runway to a gate after landing.
Taxiways are the paths that aircraft use for taxiing within an airport. They are marked with letters and, if necessary, additional digits. For example, some taxiways are named with two characters like "NC, NP, WC". The letters N, S, E, and W stand for North, South, East, and West, respectively, indicating the location of the taxiway. The combination of a letter and a number gives a good indication of the location of the taxiway, with the letter indicating direction and the number indicating increasing distance from a reference point.
The use of letters and numbers in taxiway designations serves several purposes. Firstly, it provides a clear and distinct identification for each taxiway, aiding in efficient communication and navigation. Additionally, the system avoids the use of the letter "X" to prevent confusion with signs indicating a closed taxiway or runway. Moreover, the alphabetical and numerical progression of taxiway designations can aid in wayfinding and create memorable mnemonics for pilots and ground staff.
In some cases, taxiways may be marked with numbers instead of letters, as seen in historical examples like Taxiway 45 and Taxiway 33 at KLAX. However, the current standard, as recommended by aviation authorities, is to use alphanumeric designations with a single letter followed by a single digit, such as "A1". This updated system helps prevent confusion between runway numbers and taxiway numbers.
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Frequently asked questions
"Taxied" refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, from one place to another at an airport.
"Taxied" specifically involves the use of an aircraft's own propulsion system to move on the ground, whereas "towing" refers to the use of a ground vehicle to move an aircraft.
Aircraft travel slowly while taxiing, usually between 16 to 19 knots (30 to 35 km/h; 18 to 22 mph).
Taxiways are used by aircraft to taxi from one place to another within the airport, such as from a hangar to the runway or from the runway to a gate.
Pilots use detailed airport charts and technology, such as moving map displays, to navigate the correct taxiway and gate at an airport.
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