Tord,I have never visited that site, http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182651-1.htmlIt is fantastic IMO, filled with real life examples of radio communications. Thanks for posting it!Mike

"you are clear to cross all runways unless specifically told otherwise in your taxi clearance"Careful there Mike! If you are cleared to runway X, you can cross all runways other than X unless told otherwise. There are some taxiway configurations where you need to cross a runway to get to its own hold-short point, perhaps remaining on the same taxiway the whole time. You are not automatically cleared to cross it on the way to the hold-short point in this case.Watch out for that one. It was even a question asked to me during the oral portion of my private pilot checkride. Apparently the FAA is making every effort to raise awareness and avoid runway incursions.Lee Hetherington (KBED)

At EGPF,aircraft taxiing to Runway 23 are told"taxi holding point A1, Runway 23, cleared to cross 28 threshold."

4-3-18. Taxiing a. General. Approval must be obtained prior to moving an aircraft or vehicle onto the movement area during the hours an Airport Traffic Control Tower is in operation. 1. Always state your position on the airport when calling the tower for taxi instructions. 2. The movement area is normally described in local bulletins issued by the airport manager or control tower. These bulletins may be found in FSS's, fixed base operators offices, air carrier offices, and operations offices. 3. The control tower also issues bulletins describing areas where they cannot provide ATC service due to nonvisibility or other reasons. 4. A clearance must be obtained prior to taxiing on a runway, taking off, or landing during the hours an Airport Traffic Control Tower is in operation. 5. When ATC clears an aircraft to "taxi to" an assigned takeoff runway, the absence of holding instructions authorizes the aircraft to "cross" all runways which the taxi route intersects except the assigned takeoff runway. It does not include authorization to "taxi onto" or "cross" the assigned takeoff runway at any point. In order to preclude misunderstandings in radio communications, ATC will not use the word "cleared" in conjunction with authorization for aircraft to taxi. 6. In the absence of holding instructions, a clearance to "taxi to" any point other than an assigned takeoff runway is a clearance to cross all runways that intersect the taxi route to that point. 7. Air traffic control will first specify the runway, issue taxi instructions, and then state any required hold short instructions, when authorizing an aircraft to taxi for departure. This does not authorize the aircraft to "enter" or "cross" the assigned departure runway at any point. NOTE-Air traffic controllers are required to obtain from the pilot a readback of all runway hold short instructions. 8. If a pilot is expected to hold short of a runway approach ("APPCH") area or ILS holding position (see FIG 2-3-15, Taxiways Located in Runway Approach Area), ATC will issue instructions. 9. Pilots should always read back the runway assignment and runway hold short instructions when taxi instructions are received from the controller. Controllers are required to request a readback of runway hold short assignment when it is not received from the pilot/vehicle. b. ATC clearances or instructions pertaining to taxiing are predicated on known traffic and known physical airport conditions. Therefore, it is important that pilots clearly understand the clearance or instruction. Although an ATC clearance is issued for taxiing purposes, when operating in accordance with the CFR's, it is the responsibility of the pilot to avoid collision with other aircraft. Since "the pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft" the pilot should obtain clarification of any clearance or instruction which is not understood. REFERENCE-AIM, General, Paragraph 7-3-1.1. Good operating practice dictates that pilots acknowledge all runway crossing, hold short, or takeoff clearances unless there is some misunderstanding, at which time the pilot should query the controller until the clearance is understood. NOTE-Air traffic controllers are required to obtain from the pilot a readback of all runway hold short instructions. 2. Pilots operating a single pilot aircraft should monitor only assigned ATC communications after being cleared onto the active runway for departure. Single pilot aircraft should not monitor other than ATC communications until flight from Class B, Class C, or Class D surface area is completed. This same procedure should be practiced from after receipt of the clearance for landing until the landing and taxi activities are complete. Proper effective scanning for other aircraft, surface vehicles, or other objects should be continuously exercised in all cases. 3. If the pilot is unfamiliar with the airport or for any reason confusion exists as to the correct taxi routing, a request may be made for progressive taxi instructions which include step-by-step routing directions. Progressive instructions may also be issued if the controller deems it necessary due to traffic or field conditions; i.e., construction or closed taxiways.

http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/directline_issues/dl3_taxi.htm

Lee and Ed,Thanks for checking me on that. In my haste to answer I left out the "unless" and "also" stuff that was important. Please continue to follow this thread and jump in with the correct responses based on your real world experience whenever you can. It is always appreciated.Mikeedit - Another thing I just saw in there, I do know the difference between here and hear. LOL

And don't forget this from the Controller's perspective (FAA regulations here so only applies to USA)http://www2.faa.gov/ATPubs/ATC/Chp3/atc0307.html

I was a frequent reader of Don Brown's columns and apparently at some point I dropped him from my regular reading reading rotation.Something that just amazes me about these articles. The screenshots he has from his scope are exactly the same as screenshots I can take from my ASRC scope while in DSR mode (ASRC - the program we use to control aircraft on Vatsim. DSR - a mode that center controllers use).I wonder what Don would think of Vatsim.

Mike,You're right this is GREAT stuff!http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182651-1.htmlED

A couple or 3 points from memory, it's a while since I flew USA.The approach ATC tends to be slightly different in the US to Europe (or UK at least).In the UK you tend to get vectors onto the ILS, in the US you often get a vector to within 30 degrees and then given something like '12 miles out, approaching ILS from the left'. One of the US guys can give the exact phrase.From an RL video US ATC like you to descend fast unlike Europe where it is usually a 1800 -2000ft/m descent. Not sure how much of this still happens on Vatsim.If flying into a major US airport expect fast ATC instructions, especially if the controller is a 'real life' one, they get used to issuing it fast in real life. With the quality of RW, our lack of familiarity, and acents, it can be difficult. Don't be afraid to 'say again' or ask for it on text.Mainly for the new ones.Depending on traffic, be prepared for a rolling T/O. That is be fully configured for T/O once at the hold, don't expect to be able roll onto the runway, switch on lights, configure flaps, set ALT, SPEED etc, basically run through before T/O checks then. If you do you will upset the controller.If, as is likely, you are in a string of traffic going to the hold, set everything as you taxi out. Once the a/c in front has been cleared onto the runway do your final checks and switch on strobes and landing lights so if needed you can roll onto the runway and T/O immediately.I am not sure if I wil be able to join this one, much as I would like, but the weather up here in Manchester promises to be good and that is such a rare occurance I would sooner enjoy the real sunshine than sit in front of my PC :-)Hope you all have fun, and safe landings.BTW Mike, I saw on ServerInfo that you had a very good turn out for the flight into Ilan Country.Rgds

Don't forget your tooth brush!