ABSTRACT
Air transportation systems worldwide consist of several common features—aircraft are parked at airports, then fly to some destination airport where the aircraft lands at a runway, taxis back to a parking area, and parks. This chapter focuses on the common commercial flight experience, notations are provided as to what differences one can expect across different types of operations. It provides an overview of what is involved operationally in moving an aircraft from one place to another within an air transportation system. The chapter discusses that controlled airports, where air transportation authorities manage the operations of the airport, typically have one or more ground controllers who perform the functions. At controlled airports, permission is required to taxi, whereas at uncontrolled airports pilots do so on their own authority. Once cleared for takeoff, pilots advance power and accelerate to achieve a speed at which the aircraft can become airborne and fly safely.
