Ground Control must notify Local Control when an aircraft is taxiing to which location for departure?

• A. A runway
• B. A taxiway
• C. The ramp
• D. An intersection for departure

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is handoff coordination between ground control and local control as an aircraft approaches the runway for departure. When an airplane taxis toward the point where it will enter or line up on the runway, it reaches an intersection for departure. At that moment, ground control must inform local control so the tower can take over responsibilities for the runway environment, sequencing, and issuing the takeoff clearance. This ensures the aircraft is handed off at the correct point and integrated safely into the departure flow with other traffic.

Taxis to the ramp or along a taxiway haven’t reached the departure point yet, and taxiing directly to the runway isn’t as precise a handoff point as an intersection designated for departure. Reaching the intersection marks the actual transition from ground movement to airborne movement control.