The Art of Taxiing
Taxiing. It may seem so simple that there is no art to it at all; it’s one of the first in-aircraft skills we learn and we use it every time we fly. And yet, taxi-related incidents and accidents still occur frequently; the ATSB offers seven pages on ground-based incidents and runway incursions, and Airservices Australia offers an entire booklet on surface movement awareness.
What is taxiing?
The verb, “to taxi,” as it relates to a moving aircraft on the ground, dates to about 1911. The verb appears to be derived from the noun, “taxi,” referring to a nearly flightless training aircraft that dates to about 1909. The word may relate to the fact that flight instructors gave rides to new students in the “taxi” aeroplane. Eventually, getting around on the ground (or water) became known as “taxiing.” The expression started at Henri Farman’s flight school outside Paris and was later picked up by pilots at flight schools in England.
Who can taxi?
Regulations 228A and 229 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR) require a person to be qualified to taxi an aircraft. Pilot licence holders with an appropriate aircraft rating can taxi an aeroplane, as well as aircraft maintenance engineers who need to taxi in the course of their work, as well as aircraft owners. The requirements are to:
• be at least 17 years old• hold a Part 64 certificate of competency which covers the aeroplane you wish to taxi and was issued within the last five years• have been trained on the layout• have permission to taxi the aeroplane from the owner or operator, or the operator’s continuing airworthiness management organisation.
