Pilot/Controller Glossary

BACK‐TAXI-

This reproduces published FAA reference text for study. It does not replace the current official FAA publication or regulation.

A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back‐taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.

Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 18, 2026.