Unwary Taxi Driver

Even a familiar airport can bite a pilot who isn’t absolutely sure the airplane can make it

Thanks for “Taxi Smack,” your excellent piece on taxiing accidents (Airmanship, August). I am a 2000+ hours pilot with a CPL/IR. One of the milk runs I make in my Mooney goes into Zurich, Switzerland, an airport I know well.

Some months ago, the authorities at ZRH decided to redesign GA parking, although no new taxi plate was published. Upon arrival I was assigned a familiar row and guided in by a follow-me van. When departing two days later in perfect weather, I got my IFR, startup and taxi clearances and taxied out in the normal fashion, turning left on the taxiway leading to the apron.

Within 100 meters I found the taxiway to the main apron was temporarily closed and a new lane for...