FAA · Information for Operators (InFO)
InFO 08013: Change in Canadian ATC Taxi Phraseology – LINE UP/LINE UP AND WAIT
In Brief
What It Addresses
Provides all operators advance notice of the change in phraseology that controllers in Canada will use when clearing aircraft to enter a runway in preparation for take off.
Why It Matters
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) publishes standard aviation terms and phrases for use worldwide in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services—Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM), Document 4444. For the most part, the use of standard terms and aviation phraseology in North America is consistent with those published by ICAO; however, certain specific air traffic control (ATC) phraseology used in Canada differs from the phraseology published by ICAO.
Recommended Action
Directors of safety, directors of operations, trainers, and pilots should clearly understand differing ATC terminology regulations when operating in Canada and other ICAO countries with regard to taxi clearances and the meaning of taxi clearances issued by Approved by: AFS-200 ground controllers. Pilots should be aware that if any ATC instructions are not understood a pilot should call upon ATC to clarify the discrepancy before taxiing or at any time while taxiing.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
InFOInformation for Operators
U.S. Department InFO 08013
of Transportation DATE: 3/17/08
Federal Aviation
Administration Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.
SUBJECT: Change in Canadian ATC Taxi Phraseology – LINE UP/LINE UP AND WAIT
Purpose: Provides all operators advance notice of the change in phraseology that controllers in Canada will use when clearing aircraft to enter a runway in preparation for take off.
Background: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) publishes standard aviation terms and phrases for use worldwide in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services—Air Traffic Management (PANS-ATM), Document 4444. For the most part, the use of standard terms and aviation phraseology in North America is consistent with those published by ICAO; however, certain specific air traffic control (ATC) phraseology used in Canada differs from the phraseology published by ICAO.
Predominantly, controllers of ICAO member States use the ICAO-recommended phraseology “LINE UP” or “LINE UP AND WAIT” when instructing an aircraft to enter the runway intended for take off.
In Canada, controllers currently use the phraseology “TAXI TO POSITION” or “TAXI TO POSITION AND WAIT” when instructing an aircraft to enter the departure runway. In the near future NAV CANADA will implement the ICAO-recommended phraseology “LINE UP” or “LINE UP AND WAIT” when controllers instruct an aircraft to enter the runway intended for take off.
Pilots are urged to remain alert to the different phraseologies that may be encountered when operating near runway thresholds in various locations. The table below is provided to familiarize pilots with the different phraseologies that will be in use once the change to Canadian phraseology is implemented.
ICAO CANADA United States (FAA)
TAXI VIA (taxiway routing) TO
HOLDING POINT RUNWAY(number)
RUNWAY (number) TAXI VIA
(taxiway routing)
TAXI TO RUNWAY (number) VIA (taxiway routing) LINE UP AND WAIT LINE UP AND WAIT (REASON) RUNWAY (number) POSITION AND HOLD
Recommended action: Directors of safety, directors of operations, trainers, and pilots should clearly understand differing ATC terminology regulations when operating in Canada and other ICAO countries with regard to taxi clearances and the meaning of taxi clearances issued by Approved by: AFS-200
ground controllers. Pilots should be aware that if any ATC instructions are not understood a pilot should call upon ATC to clarify the discrepancy before taxiing or at any time while taxiing. Point of Contact: Any questions regarding this InFO should be directed to Dennis R. Mills, (Part 121 Air Carrier Operations Branch, AFS-220 thru your local FAA office) at (202) 493-8166.
Approved by: AFS-200
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
InFO 08013