Pre-Taxi Clearance Procedures

AIM ¶ 5-2-1 — Pre-Taxi Clearance Procedures

AIM 5-2-1 explains pre-taxi IFR clearance programs: when to call clearance delivery, participation rules, and ground control coordination for departing IFR pilots.

In Plain English

At certain busy airports, the FAA offers a pre-taxi clearance program that lets IFR pilots get their clearance before they start taxiing. This keeps ground frequencies less congested and helps you plan your taxi without holding short while copying a long clearance.

Key points to remember:

Participation is voluntary — you can still request clearance the traditional way.
Call clearance delivery or ground no more than 10 minutes before your proposed taxi time.
ATC issues your IFR clearance or delay information on that initial call.
After receiving clearance on clearance delivery, contact ground control when ready to taxi.
You normally do not need to tell ground you already have your clearance, though some locations require you mention part of the routing or confirm you have it.
If you can't reach clearance delivery or haven't received clearance by the time you're ready to taxi, tell ground control so they can help.

Airports with pre-taxi clearance procedures are listed in the Chart Supplement, so check there during preflight planning.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 5-2-1

5-2-1. 5-2-1. Pre‐taxi Clearance Procedures Certain airports have established pre‐taxi clearance programs whereby pilots of departing instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft may elect to receive their IFR clearances before they start taxiing for takeoff. The following provisions are included in such procedures: Pilot participation is not mandatory. Participating pilots call clearance delivery or ground control not more than 10 minutes before proposed taxi time. IFR clearance (or delay information, if clearance cannot be obtained) is issued at the time of this initial call‐up. When the IFR clearance is received on clearance delivery frequency, pilots call ground control when ready to taxi. Normally, pilots need not inform ground control that they have received IFR clearance on clearance delivery frequency. Certain locations may, however, require that the pilot inform ground control of a portion of the routing or that the IFR clearance has been received. If a pilot cannot establish contact on clearance delivery frequency or has not received an IFR clearance before ready to taxi, the pilot should contact ground control and inform the controller accordingly. Locations where these procedures are in effect are indicated in the Chart Supplement.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What is a pre-taxi clearance program and is participation required?

Per AIM 5-2-1, it's a program at certain airports that allows departing IFR pilots to receive their IFR clearance before beginning to taxi. Pilot participation is not mandatory.

Q2How early before taxi may a pilot request a pre-taxi IFR clearance, and where do you find airports that offer this?

Per AIM 5-2-1, participating pilots may call clearance delivery or ground control not more than 10 minutes before proposed taxi time. Locations using these procedures are indicated in the Chart Supplement.

Q3If you cannot reach clearance delivery or haven't received your IFR clearance by the time you're ready to taxi, what should you do?

Per AIM 5-2-1, contact ground control and inform the controller that you were unable to establish contact with clearance delivery or have not yet received your IFR clearance.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5

¶ 5-2-2

Pre-Departure Clearance Procedures

¶ 5-2-3

IFR Clearance Uncontrolled Airports

Abbreviated IFR Departure Clearance

¶ 5-2-7