Taxiing
Private Pilot ACS · Area II · Task D · 14 CFR 91, POH/AFM, FAA-H-8083-3
Everything you need to know about Taxiing for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task II-D, covering taxiing.
Airport Signs & Markings §
Red/white signs: Mandatory Instruction — do not cross without ATC clearance. Runway designators, NO ENTRY (white X on red).
Black/yellow signs: Location — tells you WHERE you are. Taxiway letter, ILS hold position.
Yellow/black signs: Direction/Destination — tells you where to go.
Hold-short marking: Two solid + two dashed yellow lines. Solid side = stop side. Never cross without ATC clearance.
Displaced threshold: White arrows on pavement. May use area for takeoff and taxi, NOT landing.
Blast pad/stopway: Yellow chevrons — unusable for any purpose.
Black/yellow signs: Location — tells you WHERE you are. Taxiway letter, ILS hold position.
Yellow/black signs: Direction/Destination — tells you where to go.
Hold-short marking: Two solid + two dashed yellow lines. Solid side = stop side. Never cross without ATC clearance.
Displaced threshold: White arrows on pavement. May use area for takeoff and taxi, NOT landing.
Blast pad/stopway: Yellow chevrons — unusable for any purpose.
AIM 2-3
Runway Lighting §
White: Runway edge (entire length).
Yellow: Last 2,000 ft of runway edge (caution zone).
Green: Threshold (beginning of landing surface). Taxiway centerline after runway exit.
Red: Runway end. Stopway lights.
Blue: Taxiway edge.
Green centerline: Taxiway centerline.
PCL (Pilot Controlled Lighting): 7 clicks = high intensity, 5 = medium, 3 = low. On CTAF frequency.
Yellow: Last 2,000 ft of runway edge (caution zone).
Green: Threshold (beginning of landing surface). Taxiway centerline after runway exit.
Red: Runway end. Stopway lights.
Blue: Taxiway edge.
Green centerline: Taxiway centerline.
PCL (Pilot Controlled Lighting): 7 clicks = high intensity, 5 = medium, 3 = low. On CTAF frequency.
AIM 2-1
Runway Incursion Avoidance §
• Read back ALL runway crossing and hold short instructions including the runway number.
• Study the airport diagram before moving. Write down taxi route.
• Check left-right-left before crossing any runway.
• Never assume a runway is clear — look before crossing even with ATC clearance.
• Hot spots: Marked HS 1, HS 2 on taxi diagrams. Historically problematic areas. Extra vigilance required.
• Progressive taxi: Request from ATC if unsure. If uncertain mid-taxi — stop and tell ATC immediately.
• Study the airport diagram before moving. Write down taxi route.
• Check left-right-left before crossing any runway.
• Never assume a runway is clear — look before crossing even with ATC clearance.
• Hot spots: Marked HS 1, HS 2 on taxi diagrams. Historically problematic areas. Extra vigilance required.
• Progressive taxi: Request from ATC if unsure. If uncertain mid-taxi — stop and tell ATC immediately.
AIM 4-3-18
Wind Control During Taxi §
Crosswind taxi control positions prevent wind from flipping the aircraft:
Headwind component: Aileron INTO the wind (upwind aileron up) + neutral elevator.
Tailwind component: Aileron AWAY from wind (downwind aileron up) + forward elevator pressure (dive into the wind).
Use brakes judiciously — excessive braking causes flat spots on tires and accelerates brake wear. Taxi at a walking pace in congested areas.
Headwind component: Aileron INTO the wind (upwind aileron up) + neutral elevator.
Tailwind component: Aileron AWAY from wind (downwind aileron up) + forward elevator pressure (dive into the wind).
Use brakes judiciously — excessive braking causes flat spots on tires and accelerates brake wear. Taxi at a walking pace in congested areas.
AFH Ch.2