What GROUND does
GROUND (Ground Control or GMC, Ground Movement Control) is the ATC unit responsible for controlling ground movements of all aircraft and vehicles on the airport's maneuvering area, excluding active runways (which belong to TOWER).
Its competencies:
- Taxi clearance from parking to runway holding point
- Taxiway coordination — who goes where, in what order
- Push-back from gates (pushing the aircraft backward to clear parking)
- Airport vehicle movement (follow-me, fire trucks, stairs, refueling vehicles)
- Runway crossing when runways are active
GROUND doesn't handle take-off or landing: those belong to TOWER. When you reach the active runway holding point, GROUND hands you to TOWER ("Contact Tower 119.000").
When GROUND exists
GROUND is a separate function only at large airports where ground traffic volume justifies it. At small/medium VFR airports (Lugano, Locarno, Bern), there's no separate GROUND: TOWER handles everything, from parking to landing, on a single frequency.
In Switzerland, GROUND exists as a separate unit at:
- Zurich LSZH (Zurich Ground 121.900 / 121.750)
- Geneva LSGG (Geneva Ground 121.750)
- Sometimes at Bern LSZB during high-density periods (rare for VFR)
At other airfields, even if you hear the term "Ground", in reality it's a single frequency shared with TOWER.
On some AIPs and charts you'll find the acronym GMC (Ground Movement Control). It's synonymous with GROUND. The acronym TWY (taxiway) is just the taxi route.
Typical phraseology
First call departure from Zurich
GNDHB-PMR, Zurich Ground.
HB-PMRHB-PMR, Cessna 172, parking GA-3, request taxi for VFR departure to north, with information Echo.
GNDHB-PMR, taxi to holding point runway 28, via Bravo, Bravo 1, hold short of runway 32, QNH 1018.
HB-PMRTaxi to holding point runway 28 via Bravo, Bravo 1, hold short of runway 32, QNH 1018, HB-PMR.
Hand-off to TOWER
GNDHB-PMR, contact Zurich Tower 118.100.
HB-PMR118.100, HB-PMR.
(...frequency change...)
HB-PMRZurich Tower, HB-PMR, holding point runway 28, ready.
"Hold short"
One of GROUND's most important instructions is the "hold short": meaning "stop before entering the runway". It's an absolute instruction: even if the runway looks clear, you don't proceed until TOWER gives clearance.
The physical hold-short point is the holding point, marked on the ground with yellow lines and continuous tracts (the "ladder lines"). Never cross them without authorization.
Confusing "taxi via Bravo, hold short of runway 32" with "taxi to runway 32". They're opposites. "Hold short of 32" means: taxi to the 32 holding point and stop there. "Taxi to runway 32" means: proceed toward runway 32 (more precisely, to its holding point — but the difference is in the explicit "hold short" emphasizing the stop).
Push-back
At large airports, commercial aircraft park nose-in to gate and must be pushed back by a tug before they can taxi under their own power. This movement is called push-back and is always authorized by GROUND:
GNDSwiss 1234, push-back approved, facing west, expect taxi via Alpha.
PilotPush-back approved, facing west, taxi via Alpha, Swiss 1234.
For general VFR (small aircraft) push-back is rare: most flying clubs park nose-out, departing with a small autonomous movement.
Swiss specifics
At Zurich GROUND is one of the busiest frequencies in Europe. Be precise, concise, and listen a lot before transmitting. If you're a generic VFR aircraft (HB-x), expect 10-20 minute taxi waits during peak hours. To avoid frustration, prepare your calls before turning on the radio and listen to the updated ATIS.
Summary — to remember
- GROUND controls ground movements, except active runways.
- Doesn't exist at every airfield — only large airports (Zurich, Geneva in CH).
- Hand-off to TOWER before take-off (at holding point).
- "Hold short" is an absolute instruction to respect.
- Push-back is authorized by GROUND.
- At Zurich, expect to wait — busy frequency, be patient.
Sources
- ICAO Doc 4444 — PANS-ATM, Chapter 7 (Procedures for Aerodrome Control)
- ICAO Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services
- AIP Switzerland — AD 2.20 (Local traffic regulations) for each field
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