Ground Control must obtain approval from ___ before authorizing an aircraft or vehicle to cross or use any portion of an active runway.

• A. The supervisor
• B. Local Control
• C. The aircraft operator
• D. Clearance Delivery

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who controls the movement on the airfield around an active runway. Local Control has jurisdiction over the active runways and the adjacent movement area, so they are the authority to authorize any crossing or use of the runway. Ground Control coordinates taxi paths and movements on the surface, but cannot grant a runway crossing without clearance from the controller responsible for the runway. Clearance Delivery handles pre-flight clearances and routing, not on-the-ground runway crossings. So, Ground Control must obtain approval from Local Control to ensure there is no conflict with arriving or departing traffic and to maintain safe separation on the movement area.