How to correctly interpret the taxi procedures in ICAO Doc 4444?

Question

I have a question to ICAO Doc4444, Chapter 12.3.4.7, Taxi procedures for departure, c).

My question is how to interpret the following, knowing that words in parentheses are mandatory, and words in square parentheses indicate optional additional words.

TAXI TO HOLDING POINT [number] [RUNWAY (number)] [HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY (number) (or CROSS RUNWAY (number))] [TIME (time)];

I assume that this can be exploded to 12 variants (not including TIME at the end of each variant which would give another 12 variants).

1. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT
2. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1
3. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1 RUNWAY 09
4. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 09
5. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY 30
6. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT CROSS RUNWAY 30
7. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1 HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY 30
8. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1 CROSS RUNWAY 30
9. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 09 HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY 30
10. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT RUNWAY 09 CROSS RUNWAY 30
11. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1 RUNWAY 09 HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY 30
12. TAXI TO HOLDING POINT A1 RUNWAY 09 CROSS RUNWAY 30

My questions are:

1. Is my number of variants correct?

2. All variant are instructions to taxi to a holding point, in case 1, holding point is obvious to the pilot due to runway in use? Correct?

3. In all cases, the instruction gives clearance to taxi to a holding point without follow up by any other clearances, but for case 5, 7, 9, 11 the pilot must wait at holding point short of runway 30 (for stopbar light etc. to be opened). Correct?

Answer 1

Below are my answers to your specific numbered questions.

1. I believe there are 4 variations of taxi clearance you might expect to receive in your scenario:

   a. Taxi to RW 09

   b. Taxi to RW 09, hold short RW 30

   c. Taxi to RW 30

   d. Taxi to RW 30, hold short RW 09

2. This is incorrect. You will never receive taxi clearance to an undefined “holding point”.

3. Basically correct, but there are no traffic lights or stop bars on any taxiways I have ever seen.

Regarding #1, those are the four possible combinations of a basic clearance, i.e. you are either allowed to cross the off-duty runway or you are not, and there are but two runways. However, that doesn't mean that you might not hear variations to this. While pilots and controllers strive for standardization there is some variety. For example, while not required to do so, it isn't unheard of for a controller to say "taxi to RW 09, cleared to cross RW 30."

To provide some additional context, clearance to taxi to an active runway clears the pilot to cross any off-duty runways that may intersect the taxiway. If the pilot is cleared to taxi but told to hold short of an intersecting runway, further clearance to cross and continue taxiing will be made on the radio.

The actual words “holding point” (in my experience) are never used. Clearance to taxi to a runway presumes the pilot will taxi right up to the painted hold-short line and stop there before switching frequencies and requesting takeoff clearance from the tower controller. The tower controller will then clear the pilot to either take off, line up and wait, or continue holding short.

At most airfields serving general aviation aircraft there is widened section of the taxiway in the hold short area for performing engine run-ups and final takeoff checks. However, the ground controller will never clear you to this “holding point”, but will instead clear you to the runway in use. It is up to the pilot to use this area as needed, and then taxi up to the hold short and switch to tower frequency when ready for take off.