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Old 23rd Aug 2004, 22:58
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Genghis the Engineer
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Join Date: Feb 2000
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Turn 180

A couple of times recently I've been given the instruction, whilst on the ground to "turn 180". This is generally by a tower or ground controller at a medium to large UK airport just after landing.

Has this crept into ICAO standards when I wasn't looking - because I'm afraid it's a piece of terminology I really don't like. Wherever I am, if I'm given the instruction "turn 180" my automatic reaction is to turn to that heading, which on a (usually) E-W runway is deeply unhelpful.

Surely if on a runway and asked to turn around then go the other way "backtrack" is a much more sensible instruction? If on a taxiway that may be inappropriate, in which case plain english "turn around and go the other way" works for me - but numbers are surely for heights and headings.


Or am I just an old reactionary not keeping up with the times, and this is a piece of approved RT that I should know about? If so, could somebody enlighten me.

G
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