Ground Control

Definition

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.

Primary Responsibilities

  • 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

Phraseology Examples

  • “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”

Typical Ground Frequency Use

  • 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”)

Ground Control vs. Tower

Aspect Ground Control Tower Control
Area Taxiways, apron, stands Runway and airspace immediately around the field
Role Taxi and parking coordination Takeoff, landing, go-arounds
Clearance type Taxi clearance Takeoff / landing clearance
Frequency Ground frequency (e.g., 121.9 MHz) Tower frequency (e.g., 118.8 MHz)

Clearance Structure

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."

Key Rules

  • ✅ 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”)

Additional Notes

  • 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”)