When must a wing walker be present?

• A. Taxiing within 3 feet of an obstacle
• B. Taxiing within 5 feet but not less than 3 feet of an obstacle
• C. Taxiing within 8 feet of an obstacle
• D. Not required

Answer: (B)

Wing walkers provide a ground guide when wings are near obstacles during taxi to prevent wingtip contact. The rule calls for a wing walker in the zone where the wing tip is within a close but manageable range of an obstacle—specifically between three and five feet. In that band, the pilot’s view of the wing tips and nearby objects is limited enough that extra eyes on the ground are essential to maintain clearance and communicate any needed adjustments. If you’re farther away than five feet, the risk is low enough that a wing walker isn’t required; if you’re closer than three feet, the situation is too tight for the standard wing-walker guidance, and other procedures would apply. So the requirement is to have a wing walker when the aircraft is between three and five feet from an obstacle.