How do you verify a crossing clearance before an aircraft enters a runway?

• A. Look for runway lights and proceed
• B. Assume the clearance exists and proceed
• C. Check only the weather
• D. Confirm the other traffic's position, the clearance to cross, and that the runway is safe to cross

Answer: (D)

Before crossing a runway, you must confirm you have explicit clearance and that the path is clear. The best approach is to verify three things: where other traffic is (to avoid conflicts with arriving or departing aircraft), that you have the clearance to cross from ATC, and that the runway itself is safe to use (no aircraft occupying or about to cross the runway, and no obstructions). Relying on a visual cue like lights, or making assumptions that clearance exists, can lead to a dangerous runway incursion. Weather alone doesn’t address traffic or clearance, and simply checking lights or assuming clearance is unsafe. In practice, you would hold at the hold-short line, communicate with ATC to obtain crossing clearance, read back that clearance, and scan for any conflicting traffic to ensure the runway is clear before crossing.