Taxi Clearance

I just noticed this today:

AIM 5-2-2. Taxi Clearance

Pilots on IFR flight plans should communicate with the control tower on the
appropriate ground control or clearance delivery frequency, prior to
starting engines, to receive engine start time, taxi and/or clearance
information.

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In the Azores, Portugal, when I checked out at a local flying club, it was
mandatory to contact the control tower prior to engine start, even when
flying VFR. (And it was mandatory to receive a clearance to "start
engines" before doing so).

However, in the US, I was not taught, nor have I ever called in "prior to
starting engines" unless that requirement was explicitly stated on the ATIS
(as it has been occasionally at KBOS).

Is this a holdover from former times? Or something else altogether?


Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)