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Pushback & Taxi

After receiving and reading back the IFR clearance, the next step is pushback from the gate and taxi to the departure runway. At larger airports like Frankfurt, Apron handles pushback while Ground handles taxi. At smaller airports, Ground covers both.

Preparation

  • Airport Ground Chart (10-9C) – taxiway layout, holding points, runway entry points
  • Apron and Ground frequencies – found on the airport chart (10-9)
  • Pushback direction – determined by stand position and expected taxi route
  • Before-taxi checklist – completed before requesting taxi
  • QNH – set from ATIS before moving

Pushback

Pilot: "Frankfurt Apron, Lufthansa 123, stand A16, information Alpha, request pushback."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, pushback approved, face west."

Pilot: "Pushback approved, facing west, Lufthansa 123."

The facing direction tells the tug which way to point the aircraft nose after pushback. If no direction is specified, the standard pushback direction for that stand applies.

At some airports, engine startup is a separate clearance. In that case, request startup before pushback:

Pilot: "Frankfurt Apron, Lufthansa 123, stand A16, request startup."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, startup approved, report ready for pushback."

At busy airports, Apron may issue a sequence number or a time slot: "Expect pushback at time 35." Monitor the frequency and call ready when the time comes.

Taxi

After pushback is complete, contact Ground for taxi clearance.

Pilot: "Frankfurt Ground, Lufthansa 123, request taxi."

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, taxi to holding point runway 25C via N1."

Pilot: "Taxi to holding point runway 25C via N1, Lufthansa 123."

If the route includes a hold short instruction:

ATC: "Lufthansa 123, taxi to holding point runway 25C via N1, hold short N7."

Pilot: "Taxi to holding point runway 25C via N1, hold short N7, Lufthansa 123."

Important

  • Read back the complete taxi route — route and holding point must be repeated
  • Hold short means stop before the indicated point — this is safety-critical and must always be read back
  • If a route is unclear: ask for clarification — never guess on an active airfield
  • Use the airport chart during taxi, especially at unfamiliar airports

Where to find the necessary information

  1. Apron/Ground frequency – airport chart (10-9)
  2. Stand position – gate assignment or MCDU
  3. Taxi routes and holding points – ground chart (10-9C)
  4. Pushback direction – stand layout on the ground chart
  5. QNH – ATIS

What's next?

Once at the holding point of the assigned runway:

  • Takeoff – line up and departure