Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
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Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
Should there be a aircraft limitation to taxi speeds. At some airlines, SWA for example, taxi speeds are at times approaching V1. Could their operating attitude of max speed been a contibuting factor in their accident at Midway? We have inflight limiting speeds due to aircraft structure and operational safty but none for ground opeations - why?
Dream Land The safety judgment is not if they have had any accidents, it is whether they could have an accident.
If the Avro RJ auto-spoilers come out, then you are taxing too fast, and every one can see it (approx 33kts GS).
If the Avro RJ auto-spoilers come out, then you are taxing too fast, and every one can see it (approx 33kts GS).
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At some airlines, SWA for example, taxi speeds are at times approaching V1.
Come on, I know some people taxi too fast, but V1!!!!!! Methinks a tadge of poetic licence there!
Our FM states a max taxi speed of 30kts straight line (conditions permitting), and 10kts round corners.
I'm also guessing that ATC would say something if you were tearing round somewhere like LHR at 120kts!!!!!!!!!!
Rgds.
you might also hit my pet peeve of the 4kt taxi for 2.5 miles ie 15,000ft or one side of the a/p to another. our company doesn't pay O/T until 100 hrs/month. I endeavour to get my day done asap. so hurry the hell up!
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i dont think the captains realise just how fast they are taxying sometimes,it doesnt matter to them how fast they are going because they are sitting down,however they dont realise that often the cabin crew will be doing the safety demonstration and securing the cabin in preparation for take off.
there are a few select captains where i work who repeatedly offend and despite being told about it,they still dont change their ways,and i often come home,my legs covered in bruises.
Taxi safe,and think of all the crew onboard and people around you
there are a few select captains where i work who repeatedly offend and despite being told about it,they still dont change their ways,and i often come home,my legs covered in bruises.
Taxi safe,and think of all the crew onboard and people around you
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How fast is too fast ?
The simple answer is statute and judgement . The company should normally state a maximum taxying speed for the aircraft type within its operations manual. That will normally stipulate a reduced taxying speed when conditions dictate. It might allow a higher speed in the event of an "emergency". Being late isn't an emergency ! The Captain should then apply and both Pilots should ensure that the actual speed applied is commensurate with the actual conditions experienced and within the written limits.
The comment about taxying speeds "approaching V1" may well be a little tongue in cheek, but since V1 is actually an accelerate stop distance speed, the analogy isn't too far from the truth.
From a safety standpoint the brakes will have absorbed a lot of energy after a landing and taxying fast means those brakes having to absorb a lot more energy in a short time period which might be very unwise. Similarly prior to departure, loading the brakes will make them much more vulnerable to overheating in the event of a subsequent reject.
Fortunetaly the standards of good airmanship displayed by so many pilots means that the mavericks and companies that employ them stand out like a sore thumb.
The simple answer is statute and judgement . The company should normally state a maximum taxying speed for the aircraft type within its operations manual. That will normally stipulate a reduced taxying speed when conditions dictate. It might allow a higher speed in the event of an "emergency". Being late isn't an emergency ! The Captain should then apply and both Pilots should ensure that the actual speed applied is commensurate with the actual conditions experienced and within the written limits.
The comment about taxying speeds "approaching V1" may well be a little tongue in cheek, but since V1 is actually an accelerate stop distance speed, the analogy isn't too far from the truth.
From a safety standpoint the brakes will have absorbed a lot of energy after a landing and taxying fast means those brakes having to absorb a lot more energy in a short time period which might be very unwise. Similarly prior to departure, loading the brakes will make them much more vulnerable to overheating in the event of a subsequent reject.
Fortunetaly the standards of good airmanship displayed by so many pilots means that the mavericks and companies that employ them stand out like a sore thumb.
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I fly classic 747 freighters, we are paid from the time the plane moves, so taxi speed relates to strict dollars for us. However, our ops manuel limits us to 20 knots straight and level, and 10 knots in turns. I can remember many times exceeding 20 knots and watching 737's fly by us like we were standing still, thinking, holy cow dude, don't pull back!!!
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Having flown on SW many a time and having shared a taxiway with an SW 737 I must admit they are extremely aggressive.
Paxing on the 737 down in Florida I was convinced that in the dogleg turn of the taxiway that we approached at 35kts, I thought the plane would lift one of the mains and do a wheely.
At many airports that Southwest operate to I am almost certain they 'grease palms' Because when they are on approach or taxying around they have precedence, atc looks the other way while another 121 carrier will not get the same treatment from ATC
But then again what do I know
Paxing on the 737 down in Florida I was convinced that in the dogleg turn of the taxiway that we approached at 35kts, I thought the plane would lift one of the mains and do a wheely.
At many airports that Southwest operate to I am almost certain they 'grease palms' Because when they are on approach or taxying around they have precedence, atc looks the other way while another 121 carrier will not get the same treatment from ATC
But then again what do I know
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Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
Originally Posted by Trentino
Having flown on SW many a time and having shared a taxiway with an SW 737 I must admit they are extremely aggressive.
Paxing on the 737 down in Florida I was convinced that in the dogleg turn of the taxiway that we approached at 35kts, I thought the plane would lift one of the mains and do a wheely.
At many airports that Southwest operate to I am almost certain they 'grease palms' Because when they are on approach or taxying around they have precedence, atc looks the other way while another 121 carrier will not get the same treatment from ATC
But then again what do I know
Paxing on the 737 down in Florida I was convinced that in the dogleg turn of the taxiway that we approached at 35kts, I thought the plane would lift one of the mains and do a wheely.
At many airports that Southwest operate to I am almost certain they 'grease palms' Because when they are on approach or taxying around they have precedence, atc looks the other way while another 121 carrier will not get the same treatment from ATC
But then again what do I know
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Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
What about when you're having to backtrack on a runway...? Tell us that you'll never exceed 20kts and not ever expedite because your SOP says that 20kts is max, eh? 
I call you back
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Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
What about when you're having to backtrack on a runway...? Tell us that you'll never exceed 20kts and not ever expedite because your SOP says that 20kts is max, eh?
For those of you who like to make up the 20 seconds or so by taxiing fast remember your ops monitoring is watching you. If the CCM above that claims she got bruises were to take a case ( and a bruise ) which matched a taxi speed exceedance of yours it would mean you paying the legal bills. Even if someone else takes a wrong turn or ATC change your clearance late it would be still your fault.
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Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
I always thought 25 kts was ok and 30 kts max, but since they built those new runways at Barcelona and Amsterdam, I do feel I need to reconsider!
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Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
I've heard rumours of CC being able to sue Captains (not the airlines) if they fall over whilst turning or braking harshly. Any truth to this? Personally, in most cases I think its a load of cobblers
d2k
d2k
Re: Taxi speeds - how fast is too fast
When your tires slide due to reverted rubber steam and you slide off of the end of the taxiway, or a slower speed seems to concern the other pilot.
This happened years ago to an AirCal B-737 at Las Vegas.
It is a long taxiway to runway 25L, and the slope is not noticeable, from what I remember years ago.
This happened years ago to an AirCal B-737 at Las Vegas.
It is a long taxiway to runway 25L, and the slope is not noticeable, from what I remember years ago.