Definition
The runway currently designated by ATC or airport advisory for arrivals and departures at a given airport. It is the runway pilots are expected to plan for unless otherwise instructed or unless they request a different one.
Plain English
The runway the airport is using right now for landings and takeoffs.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport information, weather broadcasts, clearances, and IFR arrival or departure planning when a pilot needs to know which runway traffic is using.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing the runway in use lets a pilot set up the correct approach, brief the right procedure, and align with the traffic flow. Planning for the wrong runway can cause last-minute reconfiguration, conflicts with other traffic, or a missed approach.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “in use” means the only runway available. It means the runway currently assigned or expected for normal traffic, and it can change with wind, traffic, or airport conditions.
Example Sentence 1
The ATIS reported runway 27 as the runway in use, so we briefed the ILS 27 approach.
Example Sentence 2
Ground control asked the flight to hold short of the RWY in use while waiting for takeoff clearance.