Thread: "Full length"
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Old March 5th 07, 09:51 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Steven P. McNicoll
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Default "Full length"


"buttman" wrote in message
ups.com...

What does it mean when a controller says "Cleared for landing full
length", or "cleared for takeoff full length"?

I've never heard this said until I started flying out of this airport
I'm based at now which has a 11,800 ft. runway. Does it mean he wants
me to land further down towards the middle of the runway?

In the past, I've always disregarded the phrase "full length" as quasi-
meaningless "supplemental" information (such as "#2 for landing").
I've made about 20 landings so far here, and 3 of them resulted in a
plane behind me having to do a go-around, so maybe there is something
more to it.

But then again, why would it even matter. I'm I'm still on the runway,
the controller can't clear anyone else for takeoff anyways until I
turn off the taxiway... Can someone shed some light on this?


"Runway two four full length position and hold", and "Runway two four full
length cleared for takeoff." are used when aircraft are departing from the
approach end and also from intersections. "Cleared for landing full length"
is nonstandard phraseology and only the issuing controller can tell you what
it means. My best guess is he means all of the runway is available to you,
which is also what "Cleared to land" means.