Ground Control must advise Local Control when an aircraft does what?

• A. lands on the runway
• B. enters the active runway
• C. taxiing to an intersection for departure
• D. is cleared for takeoff

Answer: (C)

Coordinating handoffs when an aircraft moves from ground control into the runway environment is the skill being tested. Local Control is responsible for the active runway and its immediate airspace, so Ground must alert Local whenever a taxiing aircraft is about to enter or use that area. The moment an aircraft is taxiing to an intersection for departure signals that it is transitioning toward the runway and will soon be coordinating its movement with the runway traffic. By advising Local at that point, Local can manage sequencing, monitor for conflicts with other departures or arrivals, and issue the appropriate takeoff or further taxi instructions.

Other scenarios don’t fit this timing as cleanly. When an aircraft lands, the handoff involves approach/arrival and tower sequencing rather than Ground-to-Local coordination about a departure. Being cleared for takeoff is handled by Local after the proper handoff and sequencing, not something Ground needs to initiate. Entering the active runway is a later moment of coordination, but the practice emphasizes the earlier transition point—taxiing to an intersection for departure—as the moment Ground must notify Local.