Taxi Request

The taxi request is the first transmission after engine start to obtain clearance to taxi to the runway.

Source: ICAO Doc 9432 Chapter 3.3 Taxi Information; ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM.

Standard request

[Tower/Ground], [callsign], [position], [information], [request]

Example — controlled aerodrome

Pilot: "Munich Ground, DEMRA, at ramp 4, with information Charlie, request taxi for VFR departure."

ATC: "DEMRA, taxi via Alpha, hold short of runway 26."

Pilot read-back: "Taxi via Alpha, hold short runway 26, DEMRA."

Information from ATIS

Before calling: listen to ATIS → confirm the ATIS letter in the call:

"...with information Charlie..." (ATIS letter "C")
ATIS gives: wind, runway in use, QNH, NOTAMs, procedures.

→ When the ATIS letter is confirmed in the call: ATC need not repeat that information.

Components of the taxi request

Position (where am I?)

Stand (ramp, apron position).
Hangar number if relevant.

Information

ATIS letter (typically "with information [letter]").

Request

"For VFR departure".
"For IFR departure".
"For taxi only" = taxi trial (test).

Optional — take-off configuration

At some aerodromes / high traffic:

"with five POB" (persons on board).
"endurance 4 hours".

Controlled aerodrome — prior permission for all movements

Basic rule (ICAO Doc 4444 §7):

At a controlled aerodrome, prior permission from the ground station is required for all movements by which taxi, take-off, or landing are initiated or which are related to these.

This includes:

Engine start (at some fields, start-up clearance).
Pushback (from stand).
Taxiing (taxi clearance).
Lining up on runway (line-up clearance).
Take-off (take-off clearance).
Landing (landing clearance).
Crossing a runway (crossing clearance).
Vacating runway (vacating clearance).

→ No step toward the runway without clearance. Pilot waits for explicit OK.

Examples of impermissible actions without clearance:

Self-taxiing without taxi clearance.
Lining up on runway without "line up and wait" or "cleared for take-off".
Runway crossing without "cross runway XX".

→ Runway incursion (runway entry without clearance) is a serious violation — see Subject 070 lesson "Taxi".

Taxi clearance vs conditional clearance

Standard clearance

"Taxi via [route] to holding point runway XX"

Clear taxi route, stop before runway.

Conditional clearance

"Hold position, give way to [traffic]"

Pilot must wait until traffic passes.

Multiple runways

"Taxi to runway 26L via Alpha, cross runway 08"

Runway crossing possible, but only after explicit clearance.

Holding point — definition and meaning

A holding point (waiting point) is a marked position, usually on a taxiway, at sufficient distance from the runway, where an aircraft waits until it receives a clearance to enter the runway.

Ground marking

Double yellow line across the taxiway (two solid + two dashed lines).
Stop bar with red lights (during LVP / night).
Sign "RUNWAY HOLDING POSITION" or "26" (runway number).

Pilot action at the holding point

Stop with nose just before the yellow line (do not cross).
Perform pre-takeoff checks (run-up).
Contact tower: "DEMRA, ready for departure runway 26."
Wait for clearance — either "Cleared for take-off" or "Line up and wait" or "Hold position".

→ Never cross the runway without explicit clearance.

Reason for the distance

The distance from the runway to the holding point per ICAO Annex 14 is set so that:

Landing or departing aircraft on the runway are not affected by the jet blast of the waiting aircraft.
The pilot of the waiting aircraft can see the runway.
Wake turbulence of landing traffic does not directly affect the waiting aircraft.

"Ready for departure"

After run-up and pre-takeoff checks at the holding point:

"Munich Tower, DEMRA, ready for departure, runway 26."

ATC then decides:

Cleared for take-off (depart immediately).
Line up and wait (line up on runway, wait).
Hold position (continue waiting at the holding point).

Specifics at uncontrolled aerodromes

"Self-radio" or "information"

At small fields (sport, small aerodromes):

No ATC clearance for taxi.
Self-announcement: "DEMRA, taxi for runway 08, [field name]."
Other traffic listens and reacts accordingly.

"AFIS" (Aerodrome Flight Information Service)

Information service, no control.
Gives weather, runway info, traffic advisories.
Pilot reports when taxiing.

Common errors

Taxiing without clearance: catastrophic runway incursion risk.
Crossing holding point without clearance: serious violation.
ATIS not heard: ATC must repeat → frequency congestion.
Vague position: "somewhere on apron" — ATC cannot assign clear route.
Incomplete read-back: ATC asks again.

Cross-reference

Subject 070 Lesson "Taxi": pilot technique.
Subject 010: airspaces and holding points.
Subject 070 Lesson "Pre-flight": ATIS reading.