What is the minimum distance you must keep in front of and behind any aircraft?

• A. 25 ft in front; 200 ft behind
• B. 25 ft in front; 100 ft behind
• C. 50 ft in front; 50 ft behind
• D. 100 ft in front; 100 ft behind

Answer: (A)

The idea is to keep a safety buffer around each aircraft to protect you from engine intake, jet blast, and debris. The minimum you must stay in front of an aircraft is 25 feet, and the minimum behind is 200 feet.

Being 25 feet in front places you far enough from the engine intake and propeller arc to reduce the risk of being drawn in or struck while still allowing safe communication and guidance as the aircraft taxis. The 200 feet behind provides a much larger buffer because jet blast and prop wash can travel a significant distance behind the aircraft and can throw debris or cause instability for personnel and equipment behind it.

Other distances either shorten the rear clearance too much or make the front clearance unnecessarily larger, which isn’t the standard safety spacing used here.