Taxiing

Taxiing refers to an airplane moving under its own power on the ground, usually on wheels, but also includes aircraft with skis or floats (for water based travel).

An airplane uses taxiways to taxi from one place on an airport to another. E.g.: From a terminal to the runway.

The thrust comes from the aircrafts propellers or jet engines and steering by a nose wheel or tail wheel/rudder. Braking is controlled by differential toe brakes. Not all aircraft have steerable wheels, and in some cases steering is solely by means of differential braking. A pilot controls the direction his airplane travels during taxiing with his feet.

The aileron and elevator controls are used, if necessary, to prevent wind from lifting the tail or lifting a wing.

Possible jet blast damage limits engine thrust near terminals.

Helicopters with skids must hover taxi while those with wheels may taxi on the ground. Rotor downwash limits hover taxiing near parked light aircraft.