What term refers to all surface movement of the aircraft prior to takeoff or after landing when the aircraft is moving on its own power?

• A. Taxi
• B. Pushback
• C. Runway
• D. Taxiway

Answer: (A)

On the ground, all movement of the aircraft under its own power before takeoff or after landing is called taxiing. This term describes the airplane maneuvering on its engines to get from the gate or stand to the taxiway, then to the runway for takeoff, or from the runway area back to the gate after landing. Taxiing uses throttle, brakes, and steering to travel along taxiways and other defined ground routes.

Pushback is a separate maneuver where a tug or pushback vehicle moves the aircraft away from the gate, typically with engines off or not providing thrust, before the airplane starts taxiing. The runway is the actual strip used for takeoff and landing, not the movement itself, and a taxiway is just the route used during taxiing, not the action of moving.