Taxi out from North Aero

Before you taxi, plan your route on the airport diagram. You start at the North Aero ramp, where taxiway Lima meets taxiway Charlie. Call Salinas ground on 121.7. Ground gives the runway, the route, and any hold short or runway crossing.

The usual route to Runway 13 is Charlie, Delta, and Alfa. Go east on Charlie, then left onto Delta. Turn left onto Alfa before Delta reaches Runway 13-31. Follow Alfa to the Runway 13 end, and stop at the hold line. The route to a runway does not clear you onto it.

For Runway 26, taxi east on Charlie to the end. Charlie crosses Runway 13-31 on the way. You need a clearance to cross any runway. Ground can clear you to cross, or tell you to hold short. Read it back. For a hold short, say your call sign, then: Runway 26, hold short of Runway 13-31.

The Salinas diagram adds a caution. Be alert to runway crossing clearances. Readback of all runway holding instructions is required. For Runway 31, go east on Charlie, then right onto Alfa. Alfa crosses Runway 8-26 on the way. Cross only when you are cleared. Then stop at the hold line at the Runway 31 end.

Ground may give a different route. Taxi that route, not the one you expect. If you are not sure, ask. Next, the taxi back to the ramp after you land.