2.4. Taxi

Exercise 2.4.1 Read and translate the text using the word list.

John calls the ground controller for taxi clearance.

Captain R/T: Speedbird 25, taxi.

Heathrow Ground: Speedbird 25, left turn at block 120 and hold in ninety six initially.

The controller has cleared the jet to move ahead a short distance on the ramp and then make a sharp left turn on to a taxiway. The pilots check the Heathrow taxi chart to confirm the route. There is a lot of useful information on it, for example, taxiway lighting system which is necessary at night and in poor visibility. There are blue edge lights in maintenance and holding areas; green CL (centreline) lights with selective switching in all other taxiways and routes; RETs (returns) have green lights parallel and to side of RWY CL (runway centrelines) before joining turn-off CL. Other turn-offs marked by green CL lights are leading directly away from RWY CL. All turn-offs are colour coded amber and green alternate lights to edge of instrument strip. Red Stop bars are provided where appropriate. There are also Position Indicator Boards placed at the boundary of each block. The numbers should be used when reporting position. The airport has two parallel runways, aligned east-west, and a third crosswind runway that is rarely used. Victor Alpha is going to Runway 09 Right, on the airport’s south side, and will be departing in an easterly direction.

Harry takes over the radio duties, allowing John to concentrate on taxiing the jumbo. The captain eases the four throttles forward for a gentle increase in power to get Speedbird 25 under way. With such a heavy weight, the response is slow. As the jet starts to move, he is careful to reduce the thrust quickly. Even at idle, the engines produce considerable residual thrust, enough to keep the aircraft moving. Taxiing speed is normally restricted to about 20 kt, 10 kt in a turn and 6 kt in wet and slippery conditions. John lets the jet gain some speed in order to make the turn away from the terminal and on to the taxiway with just minimal power. He is mindful of the many empty cargo containers parked on the ramp. Having the jet’s exhaust blow one of them through the bay windows of the terminal building would not be a good start to the flight. Using a steering tiller on the sidewall by his left knee, the Captain guides the jumbo through the turn.

To improve ground handling, the jumbo has body gear steering. When the nose gear steering angle exceeds 20° at slow speeds, the body gear moves in the opposite direction to assist the turn and minimize tyre scrubbling.

The jet hasn’t gone far before ATC is calling again.

Heathrow Ground: Speedbird 25, hold abeam the Royal Suite for a Kenyan Airbus and then continue.

John presses on the top of the rudder pedals to apply the brakes, stopping the jumbo next to the small building used by the Royal Family and high-ranking VIPs when they fly from Heathrow. The crew wait while an A310 being towed to the terminal passes in front of them.

Once the Airbus is past, Speedbird 25 is cleared along a taxiway on the south side of the runway. The Captain taxies the jet past British Airways massive cargo complex on Heathrow’s south side. Taxiing a 747 is a tricky task that demands care. The flight deck is the height of a three-storey building, the fuselage as long as a city block and the wings 95 ft out either side.

Exercise 2.4.2 Answer the questions.

1. Who does John call for taxi clearance?

2. Where does the 747 have to turn?

3. Where does it have to hold initially?

4. Does the 747 have to make a sharp right or left turn?

5. What sort of information can be found in the taxi chart?

6. What colour are the edge lights in maintenance and holding areas?

7. What colour are the centreline lights?

8. How are turn-offs coded?

9. Are there any stop bars in the maneuvering area?

10. Where are the Position Indicator Boards placed?

11. How many runways are there at Heathrow?

12. How are the runways aligned?

13. Why does Harry take over the radio duties?

14. It is an easy task to taxi a jumbo?

15. Why is the aircraft’s response so slow?

16. Is the residual power enough to make the aircraft move?

17. What is the usual speed of the aircraft while taxiing?

18. Why does John need to gain some speed?

19. What is he mindful of?

20. Where is the steering tiller located?

21. What is it necessary for?

22. What is the purpose of the body gear steering?

23. What happens when the nose gear steering angle exceeds 20° at slow speeds?

24. Why does Speedbird 25 have to hold abeam the Royal Suite?

25. What does John press to stop the jumbo?

26 What does the term “Royal Suite” mean?

27. How long does the 747 wait abeam the Royal Suite?

28. What is Speedbird 25 cleared to do after the Airbus has passed by?

29. Where does Speedbird 25 taxi to?

30. What size is the 747?

Exercise 2.4.3 Are the following statements true (√) or false (×)? Correct the false ones.

1. John calls the ground controller for take-off clearance.

2. Speedbird 25 has to turn right at block 120.

3. The controller has cleared the jet to move ahead a short distance on the taxiway.

4. The pilots check the Heathrow taxi chart to confirm the route.

5. The chart of taxiway lighting system is necessary at any time day or night.

6. There are blue edge lights in maintenance and holding areas.

7. There are red centreline lights with selective switching in all other taxiways and routes.

8. Returns have green lights parallel and to side of runway centrelines before joining turn-off CL.

9. Other turn-offs marked by green centreline lights are leading directly away from the runway centreline.

10. All turn-offs are colour coded amber and white alternate lights to edge of instrument strip.

11. Red Stop bars are also provided where appropriate.

12. There are position Indicator Boards placed at the boundary of some blocks.

13. The pilots should use the numbers of the blocks when reporting position.

14. The airport has two parallel runways, aligned south-north.

15. A third crosswind runway is also often used.

16. Runways are numbered according to their magnetic heading.

17. Speedbird is going to Runway 09Left, on the airport’s south side, and will be departing in an easterly direction.

18. The captain eases the four throttles backward for a gentle increase in power.

19. The response of the aircraft is very slow.

20. The engines produce considerable residual thrust even at idle power.

21. Taxiing speed is normally restricted to about 30 kt, 20 kt in a turn and 5 kt in wet and slippery conditions.

22. There are a lot of empty cargo containers parked on the ramp.

23. The jet’s exhaust might blow one of the containers through the bay windows of the terminal building, if taxiing weren’t performed carefully.

24. The Captain guides the jumbo through the turn using a steering tiller on the sidewall by his right knee.

25. The jumbo has body gear steering to improve ground handling.

26 When the nose gear steering angle exceeds 30° at slow speeds, the body gear moves in the opposite direction.

27. It is done both to assist the turn and minimize tyre scrubbling.

28. The instruction of the controller is to hold for a while for a German Airbus to pass by.

29. John presses on the top of the rudder pedals to apply the brakes.

30. The crew wait while an A310 being towed to the hangar passes in front of them.

31. After that Speedbird 25 is cleared along a taxiway on the north side of the runway.

32. Taxiing a 747 is a tricky task that demands care.

33. The flight deck is the height of a four-storey building.

34. The fuselage of the jet is as long as a city block.

35. The wings of Speedbird are 95 ft out either side.

Exercise 2.4.4 Give English equivalents for the following words and word combinations.

Остаточный; на траверзе; тереть; штурвальчик управления носовым колесом; соответствующий; внимательный; окно-фонарь; приобрести; край; ослабить; осторожный; основное шасси; направлять; граница; подтверждать; выхлоп газов; ограниченный; зал для ВИП-пасажиров; резкий (поворот); курс; угол; “стоп”-огни; буксировать; желтый сигнал; управление наземным движением; ждать; ВПП, оборудованная для полетов по приборам; вести; табло-указатель местонахождения; карта; уменьшить.

Exercise2.4.5 What do the following abbreviations stand for?

VIP RWY RET CL

Exercise 2.4.6 Find in the text synonyms for the following words and expressions.

Wait; permit; in front of; roll; for instance; come back; direct; supply; runway; put; seldom; in accordance with; course; leave; control; airbus; weighty; require; large; limit; careful; lead; make better; help; wear.

Exercise 2.4.7 Match the word combinations and expressions in column A with those in column B.

A	B
1. stop bar 2. instrument strip 3. ground handling 4. steering tiller 5. Position Indicator Board 6. bay window 7. Royal Suite 8. body gear 9. exhaust blow 10.taxi chart 11.centreline lights 12.maintenance area 13.alternate lights 14.residual thrust 15.cargo container 16.tyre scrubbling 17.apply the brakes	a. штурвальчик упр. носов. колесом b. зал для ВИП-пасажиров c. остаточная тяга d. основное шасси e. грузовой контейнер f. истирание шин g. управление наземным движением h. BПП, обор. для полетов по приб. i. мигающие огни j. осевые огни k. зона техобслуживания l. тормозить m. табло-указатель местонахождения n. выхлоп газов o. окно-фонарь p. “стоп”-огни q. схема руления

Exercise 2.4.8 Fill in the gaps with the words from the text choosing from the ones given in brackets.

1. John calls the ground controller for _________ (take-off; taxi; line up) clearance.

2. The controller gives the instruction to ______ (hold; run up; taxi) in block ninety six initially.

3. The controller has cleared the jet to move ahead a short ______ (way; distance; turn) on the ramp.

4. The pilots check the Heathrow taxi chart to confirm the _____ (route; airway; track) for taxiing.

5. The taxiway lighting system is necessary at night and in ______ (excellent; doubtful; poor) visibility.

6. There are _______ (blue; quick; bright) edge lights in maintenance and holding areas.

7. There are also green centreline lights with _____ (selected; selecting; selective) switching.

8. Return lights are green lights _____ (opposite; across; parallel) and to side of runway centerlines.

9. Some turn-offs _____ (painted; marked; encoded) by green CL lights are leading directly away from RWY CL.

10. All turn-offs are colour coded amber and green ______ (alternate; alternative; alternating) lights.

11. Stop _____ (lines; bars; blocks) are also provided.

12. Position Indicator Boards are _______ (placed; put; set) at the boundary of each block.

13. Runways are numbered according to their magnetic ______ (number; longitude; heading).

14. John concentrates on ______ (running; taxiing; driving) the jumbo.

15. The captain eases the throttles forward for a gentle (reduction; decrease; increase) in power.

16. With such a heavy weight, the _____ (response; respond; request) of the jumbo is slow.

17. As the jet starts to move, the pilot is careful to reduce the _______ (drag; lift; thrust) quickly.

18. The engines produce considerable _____ (residual; return; additional) thrust.

19. Taxiing speed is _______ (regularly; sometimes; normally) restricted to about 20 knots.

20. John ________ (lets, pushes, presses) the jet gain some speed.

21. When the nose gear steering _______ (angle; corner; limit) exceeds 20° at slow speeds, the body gear moves in the opposite direction.

22. The jet’s exhaust might blow one of the many empty cargo _____ (containers; pallets; boxes) parked on the ramp through the bay windows of the terminal building.

23. Using a ______ (guiding: directing; steering) tiller the Captain guides the jumbo through the turn.

24. To improve ground _______ (handling; managing; commanding), the jumbo has body gear steering.

25. John presses on the top of the rudder pedals to _______ (apply; move; increase) the brakes.

26. The crew wait while an A310 being ______ (tugged; pulled; towed) to the terminal passes in front of them.

Exercise 2.4.9 Fill in the gaps with the necessary form of the words given in brackets.

1. The controller has ________ the jet to move ahead. (CLEAR)

2. There is a lot of _________ + _________ on the taxi chart. (USE + INFORM)

3. Taxiway _______ system is necessary at night and in poor visibility. (LIGHT)

4. There are blue edge lights in ________ and ________ areas. (MAINTAIN + HOLD)

5. Green centreline lights have ________ + _______ in all other taxiways and routes. (SELECT + SWITCH)

6. Some turn-offs ______ by green CL lights are ______ + ________ away from RWY CL. (MARK + LEAD + DIRECT)

7. All turn-offs are colour coded amber and green _____ lights. (ALTER)

8. Red Stop bars are provided where ______. (PROPER)

9. There are also Position _____ Boards. (INDICATE)

10. The numbers should be used when _______ position. (REPORT)

11. The airport has two parallel runways, ______ east-west. (LINE)

12. There is a third crosswind runway that is _____ + ____. (RARE + USE)

13. Victor Alpha will be ______ in an _______ direction. (DEPART + EAST)

14. John concentrates on _____ the jumbo. (TAXI)

15. With such a heavy weight, the ______ of the aircraft is slow. (RESPOND)

16. The pilot is _____ to reduce the thrust _____. (CARE + QUICK)

17. The engines produce ______ residual thrust. (CONSIDER)

18. Taxiing speed is ______ + ______ to about 20 kt, 10 kt in a turn and 6 kt in wet and _____ conditions. (NORM + RESTRICT + SLIP)

19. The pilot is ______ of the many empty cargo ______ parked on the ramp. (MIND + CONTAIN)

20. The Captain guides the jumbo through the turn using a _____ tiller. (STEER)

21. The body gear moves in the opposite _____ to assist the turn and ______ tyre _____. (DIRECT + MINIMUM + SCRUBBLE)

22 The crew wait while an A310 ____ + _____ to the terminal passes in front of them. (BE + TOW)

23. The flight deck is the height of a three-storey _____. (BUILD)

Exercise 2.4.10 In the list below the box find a definition for the given words.

Chart Alternating Lights Runway Centreline Junbo Jet Exhaust Taxiway Holding Area Ramp Thrust Abeam

1. the paved area, adjacent to an airport terminal building or hangars

2. a path (usually paved) at an airport, provided for the ground movement of aircraft

3. an area where departing aircraft wait before lining up

4. a specially prepared map for use in navigation

5. a line down the middle of the runway usually marked with paint or lights

6. winking lights

7. a position when the fix is approximately at right angles to the aircraft

8. a wide-bodied aircraft, an airbus

9. the force generated by an aircraft engine which moves the aircraft forward

10. hot used gasses discharged by the engine

Exercise 2.4.11 Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Джон вызывает диспетчера руления для получения разрешения на руление.

2. Диспетчер инструктирует пилота свернуть налево у блока 120 и первоначально ждать у блока 96.

3. Он разрешил самолету продвинуться немного вперед по перрону и затем сделать резкий поворот на рулежную дорожку.

4. Пилоты сверяются с картой руления аэропорта Хитроу для подтверждения маршрута.

5. На карте руления имеется много полезной информации, в том числе система освещения рулежных дорожек, которая необходима ночью и при плохой видимости.

6. На рулежках имеются синие боковые огни в зонах техобслуживания и ожидания.

7. На всех других рулежках и маршрутах имеются также зеленые осевые огни с избирательным включением.

8. Маршруты возврата оснащены зелеными огнями параллельно и вбок от осевой линии ВПП до соединения с осевыми огнями съездов с ВПП.

9. Другие сходы с ВПП промаркированы зелеными осевыми огнями, ведущими прямо от осевых огней ВПП.

10. Все съезды с ВПП обозначены оранжевыми и зелеными попеременно мигающими огнями до краев ВПП, оборудованной приборами.

11. Там, где это необходимо, имеется линия красных стоп-огней.

12. На границе каждого блока имеются также табло-индикаторы местонахождения.

13. Номера этих блоков следует упоминать в сообщениях о местонахождении.

14. Аэропорт имеет две параллельные полосы в направлении восток-запад и третью ВПП в направлении бокового ветра, которая используется редко.

15. ВПП пронумерованы в соответствии с их магнитным курсом.

16. Спидберд направляется к ВПП 09 Правой в южной части аэропорта и будет взлетать в восточном направлении.

17. Гарри берет на себя обязанности по ведению радиосвязи, давая Джону возможность сосредоточиться на рулении.

18 Командир отпускает вперед четыре дросселя для небольшого увеличения мощности, чтобы сдвинуть с места Спидберд.

29. Ответная реакция самолета при таком большом его весе замедленная.

20. Когда самолет начинает двигаться, пилот быстро уменьшает тягу в целях предосторожности.

21. Даже в режиме малого газа двигатели вырабатывают значительную остаточную тягу, достаточную для того, чтобы двигать самолет дальше.

22. Скорость руления обычно ограничивается до примерно 20 узлов, на поворотах до 10 узлов, а на мокрой и скользкой поверхности до 6 узлов.

23. Джон дает возможность самолету набрать некоторую скорость, чтобы отвернуть в сторону от аэровокзала и выехать на рулежку на минимальной мощности двигателей.

24. Пилот помнит о множестве пустых грузовых контейнеров, размещенных на погрузочно-разгрузочной стоянке.

25. Если выхлоп реактивного самолета швырнет один из них через полукруглые окна внутрь аэровокзала, это будет неудачным началом полета.

26. Используя штурвальчик управления носовым колесом на боковой стенке у своего левого колена, командир выводит аэробус из поворота.

27. Для улучшения осуществления наземных передвижений аэробус имеет управление основным шасси.

28. Когда угол поворота носовой стойки превышает 20° на малой скорости, основное шасси движется в противоположном направлении, чтобы помочь повороту и уменьшить до минимума истирание шин.

29. Самолет недалеко отъехал, прежде чем его снова вызвал диспетчер.

30. Он дает инструкцию ждать на траверзе зала для ВИП-пассажиров , пока не проедет Кенийский аэробус, и только потом продолжать руление.

31. Джон нажимает на педали руля направления, чтобы затормозить , останавливая самолет рядом с небольшим зданием, используемым королевской семьей и высокопоставленными пассажирами, когда они вылетают из Хитроу.

32. Экипаж ждет, пока А 310, который буксируют к аэровокзалу, проедет мимо перед ними.

33. Как только аэробус проезжает мимо, Спидберду разрешают двигаться по рулежке в южную часть ВПП.

34. Командир проезжает мимо массивного грузового комплекса Британских Авиалиний в южной части Хитроу.

35. Управлять рулением Боинга 747 – это сложная задача, которая требует осторожности.

36. Кабина экипажа находится на высоте трехэтажного здания, фюзеляж длиной с городской квартал, а крылья простираются в каждую сторону на 95 футов.

Exercise 2.4.12 Make up your own sentences using the following words and word combinations.

Make a sharp; turn; confirm the route; boundary; aligned; concentrate on; reduce the thrust; gain some speed; exhaust blow; tyre scrubbling.

Exercise 2.4.13 Retell the text.