How close may you drive to an aircraft?

• A. Within 10 ft
• B. Within 25 ft
• C. Within 50 ft
• D. Within 100 ft

Answer: (B)

The main idea is staying a safe distance from aircraft on the ground to protect you from sudden aircraft movements and engine hazards. You should keep at least 25 feet away from any aircraft while they are taxiing, idling, or parked. This room gives you enough clearance for jet blast or prop wash, room for wingtip and tail clearance, and time to see signals or instructions from the crew. Aircraft can start moving or change direction quickly, and engines can produce powerful thrust that could cause injury or damage if you’re too close. Keeping this 25-foot buffer helps prevent contact with engines, debris, or parts of the aircraft.

Choosing a distance much smaller than that, like 10 feet, is risky because it leaves almost no room for error if the aircraft lurches or accelerates. Distances like 50 or 100 feet are more than the minimum required and aren’t necessary to protect you in typical ground operations, though you should always err on the side of caution and maintain a clear path whenever possible. If you can’t maintain 25 feet due to space constraints, stop and wait until the aircraft has moved to a position where you can safely maintain the distance.