Let’s take a look at some taxiing safety tips for pilots. Taxiing is one of the most overlooked phases of flight, but it’s also one of the most critical. As Coach Ray and Levi point out from the flight deck of a Cirrus G7 at Georgetown Airport, the ground environment is full of unpredictable hazards: pedestrians, hangar doors opening, service vehicles, fuel trucks, and even cars using shared taxiway roads.
This is why the first rule of safe taxiing is simple: heads up, eyes out, no distractions. Once the prop is turning, the flight deck becomes a sterile environment. iPads, phones, and unnecessary conversations must wait. Situational awareness on the ground is every bit as essential as awareness in the sky.
Stay Alert for Traffic, Ground Equipment, and Jet Blast
Safe taxiing means watching for more than just airplanes. During their demonstration, Ray and Levi encounter a ground crew member on a tractor, exactly the kind of unexpected situation that reinforces the need for strong vigilance.
Taxi hazards include:
- Maintenance vehicles
- Fuel trucks
- Cars in mixed-use taxiway areas
- Pedestrians
- Pushback operations
- Wake turbulence and jet blast
Even idle-looking jets or turboprops can come up unexpectedly. Ray recalls a moment when wake from a King Air unexpectedly lifted a wing of his Cirrus. Keeping proper spacing and applying crosswind controls is crucial.
Understand and Apply Crosswind Controls on the Ground
Crosswind correction isn’t just a takeoff and landing skill; it’s also a taxiing necessity. Winds shift as you move around the airport. You may taxi from a headwind into a strong crosswind or even a tailwind within seconds. Proper aileron and elevator inputs prevent the wind, or nearby aircraft thrust, from pushing your airplane off track or lifting a wing.
Monitoring winds via ATIS and continuously adjusting your controls keeps you ahead of potential hazards.
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