When a taxi clearance is to a runway is issued to an aircraft, confirm that the aircraft has the correct what?

• A. Runway assignment
• B. Gate number
• C. Altitude
• D. Speed

Answer: (A)

When a taxi clearance to a runway is issued, you verify that the aircraft is cleared for the correct runway. This is essential because the takeoff path depends on the exact runway, and airports often have multiple runways in use or intersecting taxiways. Confirming the runway designator helps prevent a runway incursion and ensures the aircraft is lined up for the intended departure, especially in busy or complex airports.

Readbacks are a common safety practice: the pilot repeats the assigned runway to confirm understanding, and the controller can quickly correct any mismatch before the aircraft reaches the runway.

Gate number, altitude, and speed aren’t part of the taxi clearance for a runway the way runway assignment is, so they don’t play the same safety role in this context.