Clearance to push and start

[pilotphilip]

Hi everyone,

Having done most of my flying in the UK I've noticed that there isn't the same need to call for push and start in America. Is it always true that the ramps are uncontrolled? Or does it vary by airport.

Can someone offer me some guidance?

Many thanks

Phil

[Peter Grey]

Hello Phil,

In the US Air Traffic Control only cares about movement areas (generally taxiways and runways). If your action isn't going to involve a taxiway/runway then ATC doesn't care.

At larger airports in the US ramps are controlled by a position called "ramp control". This position is not staffed by the FAA and is not an ATC position (it's either run by an airline or airport official). As a result they are not standardized and used different procedures at every airport, most of which can't easily be obtained by the public. For example I use to fly at ATL, there is a line on the ramp called the "50 yard line", good luck knowing what that is first try.

Because ramps are not an ATC function, require local knowledge from pilots, and because it's rare to have more then 1 airplane on any given ramp we don't simulate ramp control positions.

This means any action that happens on a ramp does not need ATC permission. If your pushback will be on a ramp you do not need clearance from ATC. If your pushback will enter a taxiway/runway you do need clearance.

Note you never need clearance in the US to start/stop engines.

[pilotphilip]

Thanks Peter, that's helpful.

It also explains why, when I've flown out of KCVG, the tug just pushes us back just enough that the CRJ can turn around!