Runway Crossing

[whoispankaj]

Hi,

I have a question on radio comm for runway crossing. I was reading the book "Say again please" on radio comm and it mentions that the taxiways between two parallel runways are
controlled by the tower.So in that case if i am taxing to active runway and am on ground frequency,I will be advised by the ground to hold short of the runway which i would need to cross.My understanding is that ground will co-ordinate with the tower,in the background, to clear me to cross the runway when possible or do i need to switch to tower for it?

Pankaj

[Peter Grey]

Hello,

You pretty much have it correct. Tower will "own" active runways and taxiways between those runways. Therefore the ground controller must get permission from tower to have an airplane cross those runways. The exact procedure varies from airport to airport, but you describe the 2 options correctly.

Either 1: ground will coordinate with the tower and then issue you the crossing instruction (this coordination is transparent to the pilot). or 2. The ground controller will have you contact the tower controller who will then cross you (this may or may not be followed by you being sent back to ground for further taxi).

Normally, procedure 1 is used at small airports and 2 at larger airports. In any case follow what the controller says. If you are told to hold short of a runway that you won't be departing from, do not switch to tower unless specifically told to. Obviously this doesn't apply if you are holding short of the runway (at the proper intersection) for your departure.

For various reasons PilotEdge controllers do not follow real world procedures regarding controller coordination for runway crossings, so at PilotEdge you will generally see the equivalent of procedure 1 used at all airports.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

[whoispankaj]

Thanks Peter..that clears up with one question remaining on the option 2.
If tower clears me to cross the runway and I am not being given any further instructions after crossing the runway then am i supposed to hold on the other side and wait for a minute for any further instructions.
I see two options here:
a. Cross the runway, hold(clear of runway on the other side) for a minute and contact tower again.
b. switch back to ground

My understanding is i should go with point a.

Pankaj

[Peter Grey]

In a perfect world tower or ground should have issued instructions that prevent this type of ambiguity from existing.

The most common way a taxi instruction would be issued in this case would be:

"N12345 Runway 28L taxi via F hold short runway 1L"

(when N12345 is holding short)

"N12345 contact tower 120.5"

(after call to tower)

"N12345 cross runway 1L and runway 1R"

After crossing the first instruction of "Runway 28L taxi via F" would still apply and that would set you up. In other words the initial taxi instruction given should list a "complete route" but have a point to hold short of before completing that route. Once the crossing instruction is given you go back to that "complete route".

It is allowable for a controller not to give a "complete route" and do it piece by piece. In that case you would have to be given further instructions after the crossing. If you've been crossed and not given new instructions inquire immediately (don't wait a minute), note in some cases the "new instruction" will be to contact ground who then would have the rest of your route, that's acceptable.

[whoispankaj]

Awesome.That clears up

Pankaj