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AIM — FAA OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

4-3-15 Gate Holding Due to Departure Delays

AIM Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control — Section 4-3, Airport Operations

Official text — AIM 4-3-15

AIM — FAA OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

a. Pilots should contact ground control or clearance delivery prior to starting engines as gate hold procedures will be in effect whenever departure delays exceed or are anticipated to exceed 15 minutes. The sequence for departure will be maintained in accordance with initial call up unless modified by flow control restrictions. Pilots should monitor the ground control or clearance delivery frequency for engine startup advisories or new proposed start time if the delay changes.

b. The tower controller will consider that pilots of turbine-powered aircraft are ready for takeoff when they reach the runway or warm-up block unless advised otherwise.

Reproduced from the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (Basic (with Change 3)). The AIM is FAA guidance, not regulation. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.

Is this a regulation?

No — this is FAA guidance, not a regulation.

Aeronautical Information Manual. FAA operational guidance and recommended practices. The AIM is not regulatory, although it often explains how to comply with regulations.

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