pigbenis Rookie

# 1

BACK-TAXI- A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.

As far as I know the only official place to find anything related to back-taxi(in the .65) is in the pilot/controller glossary. You will find no phraseology on this, please correct me if i'm wrong because i have looked. The most common place to see this type of movement utilized is at smaller airports with less going on or because of some sort of construction like a taxiway closure.

Here is my question to others. What is your back-taxi phraseology? It seems like a very big grey area in the .65 that could possibly lead to some heated tower debate.

At my airport this recently came up because we do have a taxiway closure parallel to one of the runways so the only way for an airplane to get to full length is to back-taxi to the end, a 2,900' taxi on the runway. At the end there is room for small aircraft to pull off onto the small open portion of the taxiway to do a 180 to hold short(no large runup area). However, this is not possible for larger aircraft thus the only option for them is to position and hold(we do have a waiver for TIPH). This leads me to my second question.

What are you expecting the aircraft to do upon back-taxi? The answer to this question greatly varies depending on your answer to the first and the technique involved.

I realize not everyone has TIPH so a few of you may be rusty at this but please throw in your opinions. Like before, i'm going to refrain from saying anything at first in hopes to not sway anyones response from reading the initial post. I'll toss my .02 after a few replies.

If i missed anything while explaining the airport scenario just lemme know and i'll edit the post to clarify. we do have crossing runways, but I feel the only necessary information is what I posted a few paragraphs above.

EDIT: Pilots, how do you handle this instruction?

irishcarbomb Moderator Houston, TX

# 2

not a controller yet, but from a pilot's perspective...

an airport i used to fly at used this alot for the corp. jets(multiple times a day). They would say something like "Citation 123, back taxi Rwy 17R, when sufficient runway available, fly heading 290, rwy 17R cleared for take off"

atcpookie Rookie

# 3

"back taxi runway ##, runway ## position and hold"

"back taxi as needed runway ## cleared for takeoff"

"back taxi runway ##, runway ## cleared for takeoff"

atcguruaf Trusted Contributor AZ

# 4

1. What is my back-taxi phraseology?
"N123, Runway 28R, back taxi, position and hold."
"N123, back taxi on Runway 28R, then turn right on bravo, contact ground when off"

(if a pilot can't accept an intersection for departure and needs to back taxi)
"N123, back taxi on Runway 28R, at your discrection 180 approved, Runway 28R, cleared for takeoff"


2. For my first response, I expect the pilot to taxi on the runway and head for the approach end of 28R, make a 180, and hold in position.
For my 2nd response, I expect the pilot to taxi on the runway, head for the approach end of 28R, turn right on bravo, and contact ground.
For my 3rd response, I expect the pilot to taxi on the runway, head for the approach end of 28R, and when he/she feels they have enough runway for departure, make a 180, and depart.


I guess in each case, the pilot is expected to head for the approach end, aka against the grain.

I really don't see any room for debate. The glossary is clear as to what a "back-taxi" is. The only thing there MAY be debate for is the phraseology to include AFTER the use of back taxi. What I'm saying is that proper phraseology (in my opinion) is still expected to be used either before and/or after using the term "back-taxi".

For example, in my first use, I say "runway 28R, back taxi position and hold" the only addition for that phraseology is "back". Runway 28R is still included before stating "position and hold" IAW the phraseology. There really is no right/wrong answer for my 2nd example, and for my 3rd example, I state back taxi, blah blah blah, but when I clear for takeoff, I'm still using the correct phraseology.

MikeATC Retired & Overseas Nashville TN

# 5

I don't have a .65 on me but if there is "Back Taxi" phraselogy or procedures it would be contained within Chapter 3. Don't forget that the FAA is going ICAO so back taxi will soon change to "Back Track".

I've used, Runway xx back taxi into position and hold, or back taxi and let me know when you are turned around and ready, back taxi when ready cleared for takeoff.

It is very important since you are dealing with limited space due to your up coming closures (taxiways) that you ensure that the pilot will be ready to take off prior to letting them back taxi. Trust me I've seen controllers caught with their pants down, when a pilot back taxied and then wasn't ready.

Where I'm at now, we don't have any taxiways to the runway, so if a fixed wing wants to depart Runway 9, they must back taxi the full length, needless to say this can become entertaining.

atcguruaf Trusted Contributor AZ

# 6

there is no back-taxi phraseology/procedures. It's a term only covered in the glossary.

atc_calvin Newcomer Wichita Falls, TX

# 7

Many different variations but most of the time it's one of these:

"Runway XX position and hold, back taxi approved"
"Runway XX position and hold, back taxi approved, advise when ready"
"Runway XX back taxi position and hold"
"Runway XX back taxi position and hold advise when ready"

For back taxi to another intersection for exiting to get around a closed portion of the parallel taxiway:

"Proceed on runway XX exit at taxiway XX"

djmodifyd Senior Member

# 8

+1

i never say it...i say "taxi via runway blah" either way hes going the same direction as if i say "back taxi"

and this way is CYA...

NUWATC Newcomer

# 9

I work at a military facility where the P3's often do aborted take offs, they have to do a certain number to maintain currency. They will usualy do an aborted take off and ask for back taxi. I usualy say "back taxi rwy 14 position and hold" or "back taxi rwy 14, left off at the end" something to that effect.

ATC_MacGyver Trusted Contributor Jacksonville, fl

# 10

gotta love the p-3s and their abort pattern.

would have 5-6 p-3s every morning from 8-9am or so, doing aborts. turning off, and taxiing up the parallel taxiway. always annoyed the jets.

what are some of your favorite p-3 calls?

mine include "tower, VVLL23, we took off about 30 minutes ago... lost continuity on a buoy"

"tower, VVLL23 60 miles east, still talking to approach control....how many aircraft do you have in the pattern?" if the answer was 4 or more..... "roger, we would like to declare an emergency. number..... 3 engine out."

"tower VVLL23, at the hold short, need 10 minutes." WTF?

"tower, VVLL23, ready for take off."
"VVLL23, are you going to be requesting the abort option? traffic on a 6 mile final."
"Tower, 23, negative."
"VVLL23, runway 27, wind calm cleared for take off."
"roger cleared for take off."
"tower, LL23, aborting. no assistance required."

hahahaa.