New Taxi Procedures to become effective 30 June 2010

[cachambliss]

OK Folks:  There are new taxi procedures scheduled to become effective 30 June 2010.  There will be changes posted to 14CFR91, the AIM, and the FAA Handbook.  These have been announced in the Federal Register.   -interesting-

New taxi rules to become effective 30 June 2010.

Available for review at http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N7110.528.pdf

Overview

Old rules allowed crossing of all other runways en route to assigned takeoff runway without explicit crossing clearance once cleared to taxi to the takeoff runway.
Runway incursion incidents were occurring due to single-point pilot/controller errors.
1.   Effective 30 June 2010:
a.   No more implicit runway crossing clearances
b.   All taxi clearances requiring runway crossing will have "hold short" or "cross" instructions for each runway to be crossed.
c.   If you aren't explicitly cleared to cross a runway, you are not cleared to cross it.

2.   Ref: 14 CFR 91.129(i) Current regulation on taxi clearances says:
a.   A clearance to "taxi to" the takeoff runway assigned to the aircraft is not a clearance to cross that assigned takeoff runway, or to taxi on that runway at any point, but is a clearance to cross other runways that intersect the taxi route to that assigned takeoff runway.
b.   A clearance to "taxi to" any point other than an assigned takeoff runway is clearance to cross all runways that intersect the taxi route to that point.

3.   Ref: Section 4-3-18a  Current AIM echoes current FAR:
a.   When ATC clears an aircraft to "taxi to" an assigned takeoff runway, the absence of holding instructions authorizes the aircraft to "cross" all runways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned takeoff runway. It does not include authorization to "taxi onto" or "cross" the assigned takeoff runway at any point.
b.   In the absence of holding instructions, a clearance to "taxi to" any point other than an assigned takeoff runway is a clearance to cross all runways that intersect the taxi routeto that point.

4.   Ref: FAA Order 7110.65, Section 3-7-2  Current handbook is consistent with current FAR's and AIM:
a.   b. When authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway and hold short instructions are not issued, specify the runway preceded by "taxi to," and issue taxi instructions. This authorizes the aircraft to "cross" all runways/taxiways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned takeoff runway.  This does not authorize the aircraft to "enter" or "cross" the assigned takeoff runway at any point.
b.   Note change made a couple of years ago to this section already requires controllers to issue full taxi route with every "taxi to runway" clearance.
i.   "The taxi clearance shall include the specific route to follow."
ii.   Includes each taxiway to be used, in order.
iii.   This is not the same as "progressive taxi," which involves "turn by turn" instructions like your car's GPS.

5.   Current rules and guidance still allow a single mistake by a pilot or controller to result in a runway incursion:
a.   Pilot misstating position on airport when calling for taxi.
b.   Controller misunderstanding pilot-reported position
c.   Error by controller or pilot in issuing or receiving taxi route
d.   Pilot turning wrong way on a taxiway

6.   Initial change coming to ATC Handbook (FAA Order 7110.65) via Change Notice N JO 7110.528  Issued 20 April 2010.

7.   Change to 91.129 coming via NPRM process (takes time)

8.   Change to AIM expected in Aug 2010 update.

9.   All taxi clearances requiring crossing a runway will include cross/hold-short instruction for each runway to be crossed, whether active or inactive, whether or not assigned for takeoff.

10.   No clearance to cross will be issued until there are no other runways between current location and runway to be crossed.
a.   Exception: When runway centerlines are less than 1000 feet apart, clearance to cross both maybe issued at the same time.

11.   Applies to all taxi/ground movement clearances
a.   Taxi for takeoff
b.   Taxi for repositioning
c.   Vehicle movements

12.   14 CFR 91.129(i), as soon as NPRM process can be completed  FAA Order 7110.65, effective 30 June 2010:
a.   b. When authorizing an aircraft to taxi to an assigned takeoff runway, state the departure runway followed by the specific taxi route. Issue hold short restrictions when an aircraft will be required to hold short of a runway or other points along the taxi route.
b.   Deletes: "This authorizes the aircraft to 'cross' all runways/taxiways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned takeoff runway."
c.   c. Aircraft/vehicles must receive a runway crossing clearance for each runway that their taxi route crosses.
d.   Not just the "taxi to" runway. An aircraft/vehicle must have crossed a previous runway before another runway crossing clearance may be issued.
e.   You cannot be cleared across until you cross all previous runways.

13.   AIM next edition due Aug 2010 High points for pilots
a.   If your taxi route will cross a runway, you should have received a "cross" or "hold short" instruction along with the taxi clearance. If not, somebody goofed!
b.   If you receive a "hold short" or "cross" instruction for one runway, and it seems another runway is between you and it, or you reach another runway first, somebody goofed!
c.   If you find yourself approaching a runway for which you have not received either a "hold short" or "cross," STOP WHERE YOU ARE, because somebody goofed!
d.   If somebody goofed, 91.123 requires you, the PIC, to obtain immediate clarification of the situation before proceeding further. 

14.   New taxi rules:
a.   Require controllers to issue "hold short" or "cross" instructions for each and every runway you will cross during taxi.  Not just the assigned runways
b.   Prohibit controller from clearing you across any runway other than the next one you'll reach (except when less than 1000 feet apart).

15.   As long as the pilot is accurate with starting position, and the controllers do their job right, and the pilot does as instructed, there is nothing new for the pilot to learn (just something to erase from memory).

16.   Studying the airport diagram before taxi and having it out during taxi can really help with those pilot responsibilities!

17.   If everyone is aware of these new rules, pilots have the opportunity to correct errors they might not have realized occurred under the old procedures. 

18.   References
a.   14 CFR Part 91 ("FAR's")
b.             Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
c.   FAA Order 7110.65 (ATC Handbook)
d.             FAA Notice N 7110.528

   Note: If the controllers get it right, all you have to do is what you're told!

[a2capt]

As noted, until the VCRs all die, and the VHS tapes come unglued, there's lots of not only John and Martha, jumping up and down about how you a taxi clearance means you can cross everything in the way, up to the point mentioned in the clearance which was usually your intended destination. So this should make for an interesting transition.

Rather than the few incidents they have now, I have to wonder if there are going to be a lot more incidents because so many are trained otherwise. Granted, if the taxi instructions are given as the change says, these folks will just think they are being given complete instructions like never before, and the real problem is going to be how many times the controller asks for everything to be read back, and may have to re-read it again.

The real problem will be if it's "someone goofed", and said pilot has not had their BFR yet, and has not flown into towered airports often.. there's your recipe for the same disaster they are trying to avoid with an added twist. Most everyone else operating at that instant, in that control zone, is operating under the newly changed ways.

Over all, to me, it makes sense. I've always thought it was interesting that I could go blasting across LAX on a single clearance. Of course, it was 0130 and somewhat quiet, but still. When a single engine pipsqueak is on the ground at LAX there's a ton of blind spots for that tower, at night when they are used to being able to see a tail several stories tall.