Taxi instructions

Went to RDG the other day because it had been too long since I went to
a towered field and I needed the radio practice. I was directed to
fly right base to 36 and landed uneventfully. Upon landing, the tower
asked my intentions. I told them that I would like to taxi back for
take-off and departure to the south. They directed me to turn left on
Golf to 36.

Fortunately, I had printed out a taxiway diagram because I have been
confused (lost) at airports in the past. A quick look showed me that
Golf doesn't go to 36. I would have to go from Golf to Delta to Alpha
to 36, also crossing 31 along the way. With my limited experience at
these kinds of airports, I elected to contact the tower and ask if his
intention was for me to use Golf, Delta and Alpha to get to 36. This
was of particular importance to me because of the required crossing of
31. I know that a clearance to taxi to a runway also clears you to
cross any runways on the route to the assigned runway but he was not
clear from the outset what the prescribed route was. Should he have
been more clear or should I have assumed that he wanted me to take all
three taxiways because that's what you have to do to get there? I
wouldn't have bothered him except for my paranoid vision of a
potential runway incursion at 31. Thanks.

Rich Russell

Whwnever you are unsure of a clearance you should ask for clarification.
You did the right thing.

Richard Russell wrote:
Went to RDG the other day because it had been too long since I went to
a towered field and I needed the radio practice. I was directed to
fly right base to 36 and landed uneventfully. Upon landing, the tower
asked my intentions. I told them that I would like to taxi back for
take-off and departure to the south. They directed me to turn left on
Golf to 36.

Fortunately, I had printed out a taxiway diagram because I have been
confused (lost) at airports in the past. A quick look showed me that
Golf doesn't go to 36. I would have to go from Golf to Delta to Alpha
to 36, also crossing 31 along the way. With my limited experience at
these kinds of airports, I elected to contact the tower and ask if his
intention was for me to use Golf, Delta and Alpha to get to 36. This
was of particular importance to me because of the required crossing of
31. I know that a clearance to taxi to a runway also clears you to
cross any runways on the route to the assigned runway but he was not
clear from the outset what the prescribed route was. Should he have
been more clear or should I have assumed that he wanted me to take all
three taxiways because that's what you have to do to get there? I
wouldn't have bothered him except for my paranoid vision of a
potential runway incursion at 31. Thanks.

You did the right thing.
Better to ask for clarification than to misinterpret an instruction.
If they choose to lecture you, just request progressive taxi instructions.

"Richard Russell" wrote in message
...

Went to RDG the other day because it had been too long since I went to
a towered field and I needed the radio practice. I was directed to
fly right base to 36 and landed uneventfully. Upon landing, the tower
asked my intentions. I told them that I would like to taxi back for
take-off and departure to the south. They directed me to turn left on
Golf to 36.

Fortunately, I had printed out a taxiway diagram because I have been
confused (lost) at airports in the past. A quick look showed me that
Golf doesn't go to 36.


Did he tell you to "taxi to runway 36 via taxiway golf" or did he tell you
to "turn left on golf taxi to runway 36"? The first is impossible, the
second simply specifies the taxiway to exit the runway.



I would have to go from Golf to Delta to Alpha
to 36, also crossing 31 along the way.


Actually, you'd have to go from Golf to Delta to Bravo to Alpha, crossing
Runway 31 along the way.



With my limited experience at
these kinds of airports, I elected to contact the tower and ask if his
intention was for me to use Golf, Delta and Alpha to get to 36. This
was of particular importance to me because of the required crossing of
31. I know that a clearance to taxi to a runway also clears you to
cross any runways on the route to the assigned runway but he was not
clear from the outset what the prescribed route was.


If other aircraft or vehicles are not a factor there's no need for them to
specify a route.



Should he have
been more clear or should I have assumed that he wanted me to take all
three taxiways because that's what you have to do to get there?


Well, if that's what you have to do to get there, that's what he'll expect
you to do.

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 13:38:21 GMT, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote:


"Richard Russell" wrote in message
.. .

Went to RDG the other day because it had been too long since I went to
a towered field and I needed the radio practice. I was directed to
fly right base to 36 and landed uneventfully. Upon landing, the tower
asked my intentions. I told them that I would like to taxi back for
take-off and departure to the south. They directed me to turn left on
Golf to 36.

Fortunately, I had printed out a taxiway diagram because I have been
confused (lost) at airports in the past. A quick look showed me that
Golf doesn't go to 36.


Did he tell you to "taxi to runway 36 via taxiway golf" or did he tell you
to "turn left on golf taxi to runway 36"? The first is impossible, the
second simply specifies the taxiway to exit the runway.



I would have to go from Golf to Delta to Alpha
to 36, also crossing 31 along the way.


Actually, you'd have to go from Golf to Delta to Bravo to Alpha, crossing
Runway 31 along the way.



With my limited experience at
these kinds of airports, I elected to contact the tower and ask if his
intention was for me to use Golf, Delta and Alpha to get to 36. This
was of particular importance to me because of the required crossing of
31. I know that a clearance to taxi to a runway also clears you to
cross any runways on the route to the assigned runway but he was not
clear from the outset what the prescribed route was.


If other aircraft or vehicles are not a factor there's no need for them to
specify a route.



Should he have
been more clear or should I have assumed that he wanted me to take all
three taxiways because that's what you have to do to get there?


Well, if that's what you have to do to get there, that's what he'll expect
you to do.


Sorry, I missed the Bravo part in my description. He told me to turn
left on Golf to 36, which is sort of a hybrid of the two choices that
you gave me. I assumed that he wanted to me use whatever taxiways are
necessary to get there, but I didn't want to assume myself into
trouble crossing another runway. I guess I just need to spend more
time at towered fields.

Rich Russell