Vacating the Runway

After touchdown the aircraft must leave the runway as quickly as possible so traffic can continue. Radio procedures are clearly standardised.

Source: ICAO Doc 9432 Chapter 6, ICAO Doc 4444 PANS-ATM.

Phase 1: Roll-out and exit choice

Roll-out

Brakes after touchdown.
Aileron into wind (crosswind compensation).
Mid-field to end of runway — depending on deceleration.

Choose exit

ATC often advises in the landing clearance:

"Cleared to land, vacate via Bravo."

Or pilot chooses:

High-speed exit (angled): allows faster exit.
Standard exit (90°): needs full deceleration.

Phase 2: Call on vacating

Standard "vacated"

Once runway is clear (tail past holding line): "Munich Tower, Romeo Alpha, vacated runway 26 via Bravo."

ATC reply: "Romeo Alpha, contact Ground 121.7, goodbye."

Pilot read-back and frequency change

"Ground 121.7, Romeo Alpha, goodbye."

[Pilot switches]

"Munich Ground, Romeo Alpha, vacated runway 26 on Bravo, request taxi to ramp 4."

Phase 3: Taxi to stand

ATC instruction

"Romeo Alpha, taxi via Alpha to ramp 4."

Pilot

"Taxi via Alpha to ramp 4, Romeo Alpha."

Timing of the "vacated" call

Important: report only AFTER completely leaving the runway:

Aircraft tail must be behind the runway holding position.
Otherwise ATC cannot clear following traffic.

Typically:

Pilot rolls out, turns onto taxiway, stops at the holding point on the rear side.
Then the "vacated" call.

Special situations

Hot brakes

After long, hard braking:

"Munich Ground, Romeo Alpha, vacated runway 26, request to stop for brake cooling."
ATC: "Romeo Alpha, approved, hold position."

Runway crossing

When a runway crossing is needed (multi-runway field):

ATC: "Romeo Alpha, cross runway 08 at Charlie, contact Ground after crossing."
Pilot: "Cross runway 08, contact Ground, Romeo Alpha."

Unclear — which exit?

Pilot can ask:

"Munich Tower, Romeo Alpha, request taxi instructions."
ATC gives: "Romeo Alpha, vacate via Bravo, contact Ground 121.7."

At uncontrolled fields

Self-radio

"[Field name] traffic, DEMRA, vacated runway 08 via Charlie."

Other traffic knows the runway is free.

"Off the active"

Phrases for "I am off the runway":

"Off the active, DEMRA."
"Clear of the active, DEMRA."

Crew briefing for vacating

Before landing internally (with instructor/co):

Which taxiway (based on expected touchdown point).
Who talks (instructor or pilot).
Frequency change to ground (pre-set as standby).

Common errors

"Vacated" too early: still on runway → ATC delays following traffic.
Wrong exit: ATC expected another → pilot reports "vacated via [actual]".
Frequency forgotten: pilot stays on Tower, cannot continue taxi.
Runway re-crossing without clearance: dangerous, runway incursion.

Roll-time management

Efficient roll-out sequence saves frequency time and reduces traffic backup:

On runway: decelerate quickly.
First feasible exit: take it when speed allows.
"Vacated" call: immediately after holding position.
Clean radio to ground.

Cross-reference

Subject 070 Lesson "Approach/Landing": pilot technique.
Subject 070 Lesson "Taxi": ground operations.