Ground Control

Ground Control is a dedicated air traffic control (ATC) service responsible for managing all non-runway aircraft movements on the aerodrome surface. This includes taxiing to and from parking stands, aprons, hangars, and holding points — but not takeoffs or landings, which fall under Tower Control. Ground Control operates on a separate radio frequency (often called Ground Frequency) and coordinates closely with Tower, Apron, and other airport services.

• Issuing taxi clearances
• Managing aircraft movement on taxiways and aprons
• Coordinating pushback clearances (at larger airports)
• Preventing taxiway congestion or conflicts
• Coordinating vehicle movement on maneuvering areas
• Assigning holding points before runway entry

• “D-EABC, taxi to holding point runway 27 via Alpha and Bravo”
• “Taxi to stand 5 via Echo and Apron North”
• “Hold short of runway 16”
• “Contact Tower on 118.300 when ready”

• Before departure: After startup clearance (if applicable), the pilot contacts Ground for taxi instructions
• After landing: Pilot switches to Ground when instructed by Tower (e.g., “Contact Ground on 121.9”)

A typical taxi clearance includes:

• Destination: Holding point or stand
• Route: Taxiways to be used
• Restrictions: Hold short instructions or stopbars
• Runway information: For departures

Example:
"OE-CVC, taxi to holding point runway 08 via Bravo, hold short of runway."

• ✅ Never taxi without clearance
• ✅ Read back all taxi instructions
• ✅ Do not cross runways unless specifically cleared
• ✅ Stay alert for conditional clearances (e.g., “after landing traffic, line up”)

• At busy airports, Ground may coordinate with Apron Control, which handles gate assignments and ramp positions
• In smaller aerodromes without a dedicated Ground frequency, Tower may provide taxi instructions
• Vehicle drivers also communicate on Ground frequency using vehicle call signs (e.g., “Follow-Me 1”)