Taxi Clearance

[twentyyearstoolate]

When you are issued with a Taxi clearance, is that clearance an authority to taxi and have right of way? I realise that the "give way to your right" rule if there is conflicting traffic, but shouldn't the ATC ground controller advise who has right of way, or issue a "hold before" clearance?

I had an issue, and gave way to my right as per the "rules of the air", but was confused and cannot find the specific reference for this. I was advised that I should give way to my right (which I did), but this doesn't happen in the Air, so why should it on the ground.

Can anyone provide a specific reference as I'm not 100% either way.

Thanks all

[Talkdownman]

For a start…

UK, CAP493, Section 2 Chapter 1:

2.1 Aerodrome Control shall issue information and instructions to aircraft under its control to achieve a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic with the objective of:
(1) Preventing collisions between:
(a) aircraft flying in, and in the vicinity of, the ATZ;
(b) aircraft taking-off and landing;
(c) aircraft and vehicles, obstructions and other aircraft on the manoeuvring area.
Note: Aerodrome Control is not solely responsible for the prevention of collisions. Pilots and vehicle drivers must also fulfil their own responsibilities in accordance with Rules of the Air.
(2) Assist in preventing collisions between aircraft on the apron.

My bold...

[2 sheds]

I thought that the point that TDM was making was that the law still applies even if an ATC clearance is given. What is needed sometimes is additional information that "xyz is holding" or similar if a "rules of the air" sequence is not what is planned.


2 s

[terrain safe]

Of course, if GMC is busy they really need to be passing lots of irrelevant information, instead of actually keeping the traffic moving.

[Scrotchidson]

If you've been given taxi clearance by GMC then you'll have an unrestricted route to that holding point unless otherwise stated by GMC.

The text in bold for me is there because ATC will issue instructions to prevent collisions on the manoeuvring area but it is also the responsibility of the commander of the aircraft to prevent collisions. Thus if you are unsure of another aircraft or vehicles positioning whilst you are taxiing then query it with ATC and if an error has been made file a report.

[vespasia]

If you've been given taxi clearance by GMC then you'll have an unrestricted route to that holding point unless otherwise stated by GMC.

No you won't! Certainly not at busy airports. You'll have a route to that holding point, but not unrestricted. OP is correct, rules of the air still apply. While GMC will issue give way instructions these will not necessarily conform to the rules of the air since we'll be trying to juggle you into the most appropriate order for the AIR controller taking into account slots, SIDs, delay already taken, etc. If you haven't been told if you have right of way then follow the rules of the air.....

There's a reason we don't say "Clear to taxi..." and this is it. Unless the phrase "Clear" is used it is not an ATC clearance -btw, this is also why we say "pushback approved" and not "Clear to push".

[Tom!]

Rule 42 of the Rules of the Air places responsibility for preventing collision on the ground with the aircraft commander, irrespective of air traffic instructions.

‘Notwithstanding any air traffic control clearance it shall remain the duty of the commander of a flying machine to take all possible measures to ensure that his flying machine does not collide with any other aircraft or vehicle.’