Definition
An air traffic controller, working from the airport control tower, who is responsible for the safe and orderly movement of aircraft and vehicles on the airport's taxiways, ramps, and other non-runway surfaces.
Plain English
The controller in the tower who tells you where and how to taxi on the ground, before takeoff and after landing.
Context Anchor
You will hear or call the ground controller at a towered airport when you are ready to taxi before takeoff, or after landing once you have left the runway.
Why Pilots Care
Proper coordination with the ground controller prevents runway incursions and keeps ground traffic moving safely and efficiently.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the ground controller controls everything at ground level. This controller normally handles taxiways and other controlled surface movement, while the runway controller handles takeoff and landing clearances.
Example Sentence 1
After starting the engine, the pilot called ground for taxi clearance to runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
The ground controller cleared us to taxi via Alpha and hold short of runway 22.