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Departure

Request pushback and engine start

Before you can begin taxiing, you need to request pushback from your parking position and start your engines. First, tune into the ground frequency provided with your IFR clearance. Depending on your position, you may need to make one of two types of requests.

If your position requires pushback, you can use the following request:

Speaker Response
SWR3PH Geneva Ground, Swiss 3PH, Stand 10, request pushback and engine start.

ATC will then approve your pushback and engine start and provide specific instructions on the direction you should face after pushback.

If pushback is not required, you can directly request engine start:

Speaker Response
SWR3PH Geneva Ground, Swiss 3PH, Stand 10, request engine start.

ATC will approve your engine start accordingly.


Taxi to the runway

Once pushback and engine start are complete, you need to request taxi clearance to the assigned runway. Use the following format for your request:

Speaker Response
SWR3PH Swiss 3PH, request taxi

ATC will provide you with a taxi route that you must read back to confirm:

Speaker Response
Geneva Ground Swiss 3PH, runway 04 taxi via LINK 3, OUTER, G.
SWR3PH Runway 04 via LINK 3, OUTER, G. Swiss 3PH.

If your route involves crossing other runways, you may initially receive instructions to a holding point:

Speaker Response
Zurich Apron Swiss 3PH, runway 16 taxi via INNER, J, hold short runway 28.
SWR3PH Runway 16 via INNER, J, hold short runway 28. Swiss 3PH.

When you reach the holding point, ATC will give you further instructions to cross any intersecting runways and continue to your assigned runway:

Speaker Response
Zurich Apron Swiss 3PH, cross runway 28 at F, continue taxi via F, E, E2.
SWR3PH Cross runway 28 at F, continue taxi via F, E, E2. Swiss 3PH.

As you approach the runway for departure, you will be instructed to contact tower for takeoff clearance.


Requesting departure

When you are holding short the runway and are ready for departure, make the following request:

Speaker Response
SWR3PH Geneva Tower, Swiss 3PH, runway 04, ready for departure.

The Tower will provide you with takeoff clearance and any additional instructions. Acknowledge the clearance and prepare for takeoff as per their instructions.

Speaker Response
Geneva Tower Swiss 3PH, Wind zero one at six, runway 04, cleared for takeoff
SWR3PH Cleared for takeoff, runway 04. Swiss 3PH.

If there is any traffic, you may have other instructions to follow until the runway is available for takeoff.

Speaker Response
Geneva Tower Swiss 3PH, hold short runway 04 for traffic
SWR3PH Holding short runway 04. Swiss 3PH.
Geneva Tower Swiss 3PH, line up and wait
SWR3PH Line up and wait. Swiss 3PH.
Geneva Tower Swiss 3PH, Wind zero one at six, runway 04, cleared for takeoff
SWR3PH Cleared for takeoff, runway 04. Swiss 3PH.

Climb phase

Once you have taken off, you enter the climb phase, which involves ascending to your assigned altitude:

  1. Follow departure procedures: Adhere to the assigned departure procedure (SID) and follow the route as specified in your clearance.

  2. Communicate with ATC: ATC will hand you off to the departure frequency, that will give you following instructions (climb altitudes and vectors if necessary).