AC 91-73B

Parts 91 and 135 Single Pilot, Flight School Procedures During Taxi Operations (AC 91-73B)

Advisory Circular 91-73B provides guidance on preventing runway incursions during taxi operations. It covers proper use of airport diagrams, hold short instructions, hot spot awareness, sterile cockpit procedures during taxi, and communication best practices for safe ground operations at towered airports.

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Why This Document Matters

Runway incursions are one of the FAA's top safety priorities, and this AC addresses the pilot's role in prevention. It covers reading and using airport diagrams, understanding hold short lines and markings, recognizing hot spots (areas of confusion on the airport surface), and maintaining situational awareness during taxi. The DPE will test your knowledge of airport signs, markings, and procedures during the checkride, and this AC provides the guidance that complements AIM Chapter 2.

Study This Document in One Loop

What is the Study Loop?

A 30-60 minute scenario-first session that replaces hours of passive reading.

Stage 1

Scenario

Taxi clearance at a complex Class C airport: "Skyhawk 1234X, taxi to runway 27L via Alpha, Bravo, hold short runway 18, cross runway 9, contact tower 118.3 at 27L." You got 4 frequency numbers, 3 runway references, and 2 taxiways in 8 seconds. Your airport diagram is folded in your lap.

Stage 2

Decision

Write or memorize? How do you read back accurately? If you miss something, what do you say to ground? Where are the three places you could create an incursion?

Write your answer before you open the handbook. That exposes the gap.

Stage 3

Targeted Learning

Open only these sections of the AC 91-73B:

Chapter on Taxi Instructions (readback requirements, progressive taxi, hold short)
Chapter on Hot Spots and Airport Markings (surface paint, signs, holding position markings)
Chapter on Clearance Readback (exact readback required for runway assignments, hold-short)
Chapter on If You Get Lost (stop, ask ATC, do not cross anything)

Stage 4

Debrief

Compare your Decision to what the handbook says:

?Write down: runway assignment, hold-short instructions, frequency changes. Did you?
?Hold-short line: yellow holding position marking + red-and-white sign. Cross without clearance = runway incursion.
?Lost on taxiways: stop immediately. Radio "request progressive." Do not guess.
?Hot spots on airport diagram — circled with H: numbers. Are you familiar with your destination's hot spots BEFORE you land?

Stage 5

Reinforcement

Turn your biggest miss into fast-recall rules:

Runway assignments and hold-short instructions MUST be read back verbatim per FAR §91.129.
Runway holding position markings = solid yellow line + yellow sign with white runway numbers. Stop EVERY time.
"Request progressive" = ATC walks you through the taxi turn-by-turn. Zero shame, high safety.

What Order to Read the AC 91-73B

Don't read by chapter number. Work the four phases. Start with whichever you're weakest in.

Survival Thinking

“What can hurt me?”

•Runway incursion consequences (deadliest GA accident type)
•Hot spots, hold-short markings, what to do when lost

Interpretation

“What am I looking at?”

•Taxi instructions, hold-short instructions, crossing runways
•Airport signs and markings (runway holding, ILS critical area, non-movement boundary)

Prediction

“What will happen?”

•Pre-taxi review of airport diagram and hot spots

Checkride Mode

“Can I explain it under pressure?”

•DPE will give you a complex taxi instruction. Read back verbatim.
•Identify every runway, taxiway, and hold-short line on the airport diagram

Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

What each section covers and the key topics to study

Taxi Procedures and Best Practices

Proper taxi techniques, airport diagram usage, and sterile cockpit concepts for ground operations.

Key Topics

Write down taxi instructionsUse airport diagramsSterile cockpit during taxiRead-back of hold short instructionsHot spot awareness

Study Tips

Always write down taxi instructions and trace your route on the airport diagram before moving the aircraft. This is a best practice that DPEs expect to see during checkrides.
Know the difference between a runway holding position sign (red background, white text) and an ILS critical area boundary sign — both require a clearance to cross.
Study airport hot spots on the airport diagram before flying to an unfamiliar towered airport. Hot spots are marked with circles and indicate areas where incursions or confusion commonly occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a runway incursion?

A runway incursion is any occurrence at an airport involving the incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface designated for aircraft landing and takeoff. This includes crossing a hold short line without clearance.

What is the most important thing to do when receiving taxi instructions?

Write them down. Read back any hold short instructions verbatim. Trace your route on the airport diagram. If you are unsure of your position or the instruction, stop and ask ATC for clarification — it is always safer to stop and ask than to guess.

Quick Facts

Document ID: AC 91-73B
Last Updated: 2012
Cost: Free
Publisher: FAA

Applies To

StudentPrivateInstrumentCommercialCFI

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