Use High-Speed Exits to Your Advantage

[Tim_B]

As you traverse the globe, you should note that most large airports have high-speed exit (HSE) taxiways to allow for expeditious vacation of the runway upon landing.

Especially when at busy airports, You should utilize these HSEs to allow for making a quick exit of the runway so that it might be used as soon as possible for another arrival or a departure.

Here is an example from LEAL:

You’ll note that the HSEs are oriented such that they should only be used in one direction (that being the one that doesn’t require a 180 degree turn, obviously [I hope]). Also note that generally their placement is such that exiting traffic is funneled to an appropriate location for exit.

For example, the HSEs for runway 10 (the ones with the red arrows) are placed beyond where traffic would be taxiing from the ramp to queue for takeoff, so that aircraft do not exit into oncoming traffic.

You should utilize the exit that is appropriate for your direction of landing. In this image, with runway 28 in use, it is not advisable to use the first two exits, as those are for runway 10. To use them you would have to stop, execute a 180 (almost) degree turn, and then find yourself directly in the path of traffic on its way for takeoff.

Instead, continue at a brisk but safe speed down to the green HSE, where you only have a slight rightward jaunt and you are now behind the traffic leaving the ramp.

As I mentioned, you should not be slowing to 15 knots 100 feet past the threshold then sauntering slowly down the length of the runway while the entire airspace waits on you. Keep up the speed a little. Not 100 knots, but not 20, either. I find it interesting that pilots are willing to taxi at 50 knots on the ramp to get to takeoff, but expediting their runway exit is treated as a war crime. Taxi briskly (but safely) to the HSE, and use its ease-of-turn configuration to your advantage.

Do not make a 180 degree turn into the HSE for the other runway, or use a perpendicular taxiway right next to the HSE when the HSE makes more sense.

And again, even if you’re not familiar with the particular airport, it is always apparent for which runway a HSE is intended. 30-degree exit turn, good. 175-degree exit turn, bad.

[Kevin_Potthast]

I’m honestly glad that they got rid of the violation for ground taxi rule - unless they re-added it and I haven’t seen that yet - because it allows people to use these at 40-50 knots and slow down when on the exit. Then you slow down to proper taxi speed - 20/30 knots - once you hit the main taxiway.

[Cbro4]

Used this after landing at FNF today. Made a nice turn onto it at 50 kts and was at 30 kts by the time I was off the runway.

[Namit]

@Koby_Thomas This is pretty good at busy airports.

[Aquila]

Yes the removal of the ground speed violation allows for proper use of RETs. Makes traffic easier to manage when everyone uses them properly. I review the taxi diagram once I know which runway I’ll be getting so I can plan which exit I’ll take. Lovely!

[DylanIE]

Yes! Great explanation. Way too many times have I seen people doing 180s at 5knts and forcing a go around because the aircraft ends up stopping on the runway.

[The_Geniusman]

Very good explanation. I usually taxi to one of these at about 50 kts the slow down to 25 kts before the gold short line so I am at proper speed on the taxiway. What speed do you recommend?

[Matthew_Chan]

Top speed is 50-60 knots on HST. I’ll assume somewhere around 40 is good. Just be around 20 before your turn back onto the main taxiway(Slow down at around the hold short line)

[Aquila]

Enter the RET at 60kts GS tops. Be aware of any traffic on the taxiway you’ll be joining or nearby. If the path is clear I’ll start slowing down just before the hold line so I’m around 30kts by the time I cross it, slowing down to normal taxi speed of 20-25kts. I’ll switch to ground earlier than normal too considering my higher exit speed.

[The_Geniusman]

Thank you a lot for the help.

[Tim_B]

Another example that’s even more obvious, yet seemingly confusing…today at FALE. Look at these two exits. With 06 in use (coming from right to left on the image) why would anyone think it faster to come to a complete stop, make a 270 degree turn, then exit when they can taxi another 50 feet and easily just jog a bit to the left. A little situational awareness goes a long way:

The wrong taxiway is practically screaming “Don’t use me, I’m pointed the wrong direction!” and yet over 50 percent used it.

You want to use the r-word so much on this forum, but you don’t want to apply it to planes in motion. Just liveries and parking spots.