Hot Spots 1, 2 & 4 are the runway approach zones for runways 5 and 32. An approach zone is where a portion of the movement area conflicts or passes through the arrival path for another runway. Taxiway alpha conflicts with the runway 5 and 32 final at OSU. The ground controller may require a pilot to hold short of the approach zone area. It is important to note that an approach zone has a hold bar on each side. Once allowed to cross the approach zone, the pilot must pass through both hold bars; otherwise, the aircraft will still be in the approach zone. The far side bar will have the dashes on the pilot’s side and there are no red hold signs. The pilot must continue on to hold short of the assigned takeoff runway hold bar until issued a takeoff clearance.

Additionally, look closely at Hot Spot 2 below. There is an additional hold bar short of taxiway alpha headed north. Do not pass north into this area if the flashing yellow guard lights are operating without clearance. These lights indicate that runway 5 is active.

Hot Spot 3 is the hold short point for runway 32. Pilots will notice that the hold bar for runway 9R/27L is collocated with runway 32. Runway 32 is immediately across the other side of runway 9R/27L and therefore pilots must hold for runway 32 at the “double duty” hold bar on taxiway delta. It is mandatory that the pilot awaiting departure for runway 32 hold short of runway 27-left on taxiway delta until issued a takeoff clearance. The phraseology is: Cessna 345, CROSS runway 27-left, CLEARED for takeoff runway 32.” Also be aware that runway 32 cannot be seen from small aircraft holding on delta due to terrain curve.

Prior to taxi, obtain the current ATIS on frequency 121.35. If VFR, please contact ground control and advise that you have the ATIS (appropriate phonetic code), intentions and your departure heading in nearest 10 degrees. This information will be given to the tower controller. How the tower controller handles your departure is dependent on the heading you wish to fly. Additionally, ASOS weather and NOTAMS are broadcast on the ATIS frequency when the tower is closed.

Clearance delivery (CD) for OSU is available 24-hours on frequency 121.7 (Columbus Approach Control handles CD remotely when OSU Tower is closed.

Be sure not to enter any movement area prior to obtaining a taxi clearance. At OSU, the movement area is all taxiways and runways. Taxiway alpha is connected to and runs parallel to the flight line ramp. CAUTION: The approach end of runway 5 is immediately at the northwest edge of the transient ramp!

Please note that new FAA rules require pilots to obtain approval to cross or enter any runway, which also includes the runway 5 and 32 approach zones. This takes out the mystery and confusion about runway crossings. Again, pilots must have specific permission to cross the approach zones or any other runway, including the assigned take off runway.

OSU airport and ATC are committed to runway incursion prevention. Basically, a runway incursion is any unauthorized entry of an aircraft, vehicle, or person into a runway environment. Ensure to always remain behind a hold bar until authorized to enter or cross a runway. Even a nose gear on a hold bar is considered a runway incursion by the FAA and ATC is mandated to file a pilot deviation. However, we offer this information so that we can arm pilots with information to avoid the runway incursion trap.

A proper read back of clearances from pilots is one of the best ways of preventing any runway incidents. Accuracy is everything. Read backs are like life insurance to pilots. It is a pilot’s guarantee that the correct information has been received. In communicating with ATC concerning clearances, always use your aircraft call sign, followed by the clearance verbatim. If the read back is incorrect, then ATC has the opportunity to correct or reissue it.

Currently, ATC is required to obtain read backs of all clearances and hold short instructions. Pilots must also acknowledge with call signs when reading back. ATC is bound by FAA regulations to prompt pilots for read backs and to acknowledge read backs with call signs. It’s not personal; it’s safety.

OSU airport is not large, but it is complex for size. It can be tricky getting to the right runway. There are two approach zones that arrive over taxiway alpha and 12 different runway/taxiway intersection combinations on the airfield. Please feel free to ask ground control for "progressive taxi instructions."