Before we can get to the runway-or the FBO-we have to taxi. Its easy to conceive of the taxi portion of our flight operations to be akin to driving a car, but the only things they have in common is their two-dimensional nature. Instead, taxiing is an operation requiring a skill and experience level similar to 288
Follow The Yellow-Brick Road
Before we can get to the runway-or the FBO-we have to taxi. Its easy to conceive of the taxi portion of our flight operations to be akin to driving a car, but the only things they have in common is their two-dimensional nature. Instead, taxiing is an operation requiring a skill and experience level similar to landings. Especially since were often closer to other objects than at any other time. How to taxi depends on several variables, including time of day, visibility, aircraft type, the pavement (or lack of it) and its condition, plus surface traffic, among others. But if we focus on a few elements of the taxi operation and pay attention, we should be fine.
Key Takeaways:
- Taxiing is a critical skill, not just like driving, requiring thorough pre-planning of routes using available resources and a careful pre-taxi survey for immediate obstacles.
- Maintain constant situational awareness by scanning for all obstacles (stationary and moving), other traffic, and people, keeping safe distances, and being prepared to stop or deviate if needed.
- Control taxi speed precisely by using minimal power to get moving and maintaining a slow pace (around 10 knots), conserving brakes, and adapting techniques for varied surface conditions while being mindful of prop blast.
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