How should you phrase a clearance when changing from one runway to another during an approach?

How should you phrase a clearance when changing from one runway to another during an approach?

• A. <Callsign>, switch to Runway <new>, Cleared to land/Takeoff as appropriate.
• B. Switch to Runway <new> now.
• C. Proceed to Runway <new> without clearance.
• D. Hold on Runway <current> until advised.

Answer: (A)

When you need to switch from one runway to another during an approach, you must give a clear instruction that both designates the new runway and authorizes the next operation on that runway. The best phrasing includes the aircraft’s callsign, tells them to switch to the new runway, and then provides the clearance to land on that runway (or takeoff if that’s the situation). This combination removes any ambiguity about which runway to use and what is authorized, which is crucial during a transition in the approach flow. For example, you would say something like: your callsign, switch to Runway <new>, Cleared to land on Runway <new>. If the aircraft is instead taking off, it would be: your callsign, switch to Runway <new>, Cleared for takeoff on Runway <new>. The key is to pair the runway change with the explicit clearance for the intended operation on that runway. Other phrasings can be unsafe or confusing because they either don’t grant the required clearance or neglect to confirm the new runway, leaving the pilot unsure of what is authorized.

When you need to switch from one runway to another during an approach, you must give a clear instruction that both designates the new runway and authorizes the next operation on that runway. The best phrasing includes the aircraft’s callsign, tells them to switch to the new runway, and then provides the clearance to land on that runway (or takeoff if that’s the situation). This combination removes any ambiguity about which runway to use and what is authorized, which is crucial during a transition in the approach flow.

For example, you would say something like: your callsign, switch to Runway , Cleared to land on Runway . If the aircraft is instead taking off, it would be: your callsign, switch to Runway , Cleared for takeoff on Runway . The key is to pair the runway change with the explicit clearance for the intended operation on that runway.

Other phrasings can be unsafe or confusing because they either don’t grant the required clearance or neglect to confirm the new runway, leaving the pilot unsure of what is authorized.