Definition
An airport ground service in which a marked airport vehicle, displaying a 'Follow Me' sign, leads an aircraft along the correct taxi route between the runway and a parking position, gate, or other location on the airport movement area. It is provided when the pilot is unfamiliar with the airport, when visibility is poor, or when ground control determines that visual guidance is the safest way to route the aircraft.
Plain English
A small airport vehicle with a 'Follow Me' sign drives in front of your aircraft and leads you to where you need to go on the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen in low-visibility taxi procedures, Surface Movement Guidance Control System procedures, and airport instructions at large or unfamiliar airports.
Why Pilots Care
Provides positive visual guidance that reduces the chance of becoming lost on the airport surface or entering an active runway.
Grounding Statement
Picture a marked airport truck slowly leading your aircraft along the taxi route when you cannot easily see the normal ground markings.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a Follow Me vehicle is permission by itself to move anywhere. You still follow the instructions from ground control or the airport authority, and you stop or ask if something is unclear.
Example Sentence 1
After landing at the unfamiliar international airport, the crew requested Follow Me service to reach the assigned gate.
Example Sentence 2
In the fog the Follow Me service stayed just ahead of us until we reached the ramp.