Commercial Pilot ACS Study Guide: Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL)

Taxiing is the one of the first opportunities for a commercial pilot applicant to demonstrate precise aircraft control, situational awareness, and sound aeronautical decision-making. The Commercial Pilot ACS requires applicants to safely operate the aircraft on the surface while managing wind, traffic, airport markings, clearances, and other hazards.

At Angel Aviation, commercial students are expected to treat taxi operations as an active phase of flight. Professional habits begin before the aircraft reaches the runway.

What You Should Know

Airport Surface Awareness

Before taxiing, pilots should understand the airport layout and identify the planned route using the appropriate airport diagram. Be familiar with:

  • Taxiway and runway signs, markings, and lighting
  • Hold-short markings and runway boundaries
  • Hot spots and complex intersections
  • Movement and non-movement areas
  • Applicable ATC instructions and clearances

Maintain awareness of your aircraft’s position throughout the entire taxi. If you become uncertain of your location or clearance, stop the aircraft in a safe location and clarify before proceeding.

Taxi Clearance and Communication

At a towered airport, listen carefully to the entire taxi clearance before moving. Ensure you completely understand the assigned route and any hold-short instructions.

A commercial pilot should be able to correctly interpret and comply with ATC instructions while maintaining control of the aircraft. Avoid allowing radio communication, programming avionics, or other cockpit tasks to distract from surface operations.

Never cross or enter a runway unless properly authorized.

Aircraft Control

Taxi at a speed appropriate for the conditions while maintaining positive directional control.

Use:

  • Rudder pedals or nosewheel steering as appropriate
  • Brakes smoothly and only as necessary
  • Power appropriate for safe aircraft movement
  • Proper flight control positioning for existing wind conditions

Taxi speed should allow the aircraft to be stopped promptly if an obstacle, aircraft, vehicle, or unexpected hazard appears.

Wind Correction During Taxi

Correct flight control positioning is an important part of taxi operations, particularly in strong or gusty winds.

Remember the basic principle:

Quartering Headwind:
Position the aileron into the wind and generally keep the elevator neutral or appropriate for the aircraft.

Quartering Tailwind:
Position the aileron away from the wind and generally hold the elevator down.

The exact technique should always be consistent with the aircraft manufacturer’s recommendations.

Rather than memorizing control positions alone, understand the purpose: prevent the wind from lifting a wing or tail surface and maintain positive aircraft control.

Brake Check

After beginning to taxi, verify brake operation early and at a low speed. Check that braking is effective and symmetrical before continuing into an area where stopping capability becomes critical.

Any abnormal brake response should be addressed before continuing the flight.

Risk Management

The ACS expects applicants to recognize and manage hazards associated with taxi operations, including:

  • Runway incursions
  • Incorrect taxi routes
  • Distractions and heads-down time
  • Excessive taxi speed
  • Strong or gusty winds
  • Jet blast and propeller wash
  • Other aircraft, vehicles, equipment, and personnel
  • Reduced visibility or nighttime operations
  • Improper brake or power use

Sterile-cockpit habits during complex surface operations can reduce unnecessary distractions and allow the pilot to focus on aircraft movement and airport traffic.

Multi-Engine Considerations

For AMEL applicants, taxiing requires additional awareness of aircraft size, turning radius, propeller clearance, and power management.

Avoid using excessive power against the brakes. Differential power may assist with directional control when appropriate, but it should be used smoothly and in accordance with the aircraft’s operating procedures.

Maintain adequate clearance from obstacles and account for the position of both engines and propellers when maneuvering in confined areas.

Commercial Pilot Standard

During the practical test, the examiner is evaluating more than your ability to move the aircraft from the ramp to the runway.

A commercial pilot applicant should demonstrate:

  • Positive directional control
  • Appropriate taxi speed
  • Correct wind-control positioning
  • Proper brake use
  • Accurate compliance with ATC instructions
  • Recognition of airport signs and markings
  • Continuous awareness of aircraft position
  • Effective collision and runway-incursion avoidance

Professional taxiing is deliberate, controlled, and never rushed.

Study Questions

Before your checkride, make sure you can answer:

  1. How do you determine your taxi route before moving the aircraft?
  2. What should you do if you become uncertain of your position on the airport?
  3. How should the flight controls be positioned during a quartering headwind or tailwind?
  4. When and how should you verify brake operation?
  5. What are the major causes of runway incursions?
  6. How can you reduce distractions while taxiing?
  7. What hazards are associated with jet blast and propeller wash?
  8. What additional considerations apply when taxiing a multi-engine airplane?
  9. When is a runway crossing authorized?
  10. How should taxi technique change during strong winds, reduced visibility, or congested airport operations?

FAA References

Review the current Commercial Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-7) along with the applicable:

  • FAA Airplane Flying Handbook
  • FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  • FAA airport diagrams and Chart Supplements
  • Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM)

Professional Habits Start on the Ground

Taxiing should never be treated as downtime between engine start and takeoff. Maintaining aircraft control, understanding the airport environment, anticipating hazards, and following ATC instructions accurately are fundamental commercial pilot skills.

Stay ahead of the aircraft, know where you are, and maintain positive control from the moment the aircraft begins to move.