Do you have to request a runway crossing even if the particular runway is not in use? if so, do you refer to this runway by the side that is closest to you?
How do you judge which side ‘would’ be in use? By the colors (orange/green = ‘would’ be in use?)? what if both ends are orange?
Yes you always ask permission to cross any runway.
You typically ask for the number of the side that would be active if it was in use.
How do you judge which side ‘would’ be in use? By the colors (orange/green = ‘would’ be in use?)? what if both ends are orange?
Can be possible, but mostly if you request a rwy cross and you use the “wrong” number, the controller will correct you. In my experience
Watch the flow (where planes come from and where they go). Check out ATIS to find out which runways are active.
If its parallel runways you look at what direction the flow is going.
If its an intersecting runway and both are orange, pick a side. Chances are ATC will have already told you to cross if it was inactive.
I can assure you they almost never clear you in advance, usually they end up correcting you in their response.
Controllers are encouraged to issue anticipated runway crossings in advance wherever possible, traffic permitting of course. The publicly available IFATC manual section 5.3 deals with these issues and will answer your questions.
Guess what, I read the manual numerous times, and I know it recommends this. But thus far in my ES experience I have never been issued a runway crossing in advance.
If I am a ground controller and I know you are crossing an inactive runway, I will send you a crossing command before you get to the runway so you dont have to stop, ask for crossing, and then me give it. Im not saying to clear the crossing at the gate but prior to the crossing.
Now if its an active runway you will most likely have to stop in case there is traffic. But a good controller will look ahead to make life easier.
I agree that a good controller would do that. I’ve never received a runway crossing in advanced thus far…I always had to request