Prior to taxiing, which action should be completed?

• A. Activate flight plan and obtain squawk prior to taxi
• B. Taxi clearance before moving the aircraft
• C. Run up signal when ready to taxi
• D. RNEWS outside of congested ramp space

Answer: (A)

ATC must be able to identify and track your aircraft both on the ground and in the air, so you prepare by loading your intended route and giving the radar system a unique identity. Activating your flight plan communicates your planned path and timing to air traffic control, while assigning a discrete squawk code lets the radar identify you separately from other traffic. With the flight plan active and a squawk code in use, ground control can monitor your position, sequence you properly, and issue accurate taxi instructions without ambiguity. Once these steps are in place, you would then receive the formal taxi clearance before moving. Other options don’t establish that essential identification and sequencing capability in advance.