When receiving clearance for an intersection departure on runway 26, which direction should you turn onto the runway for takeoff?

When considering the departure direction from an intersection on runway 26, it's important to understand the runway orientation. Runway 26 is aligned towards the west, meaning the runway number indicates that it is used for takeoffs in a westerly direction.

For an intersection departure, if you are positioned on an intersecting taxiway that leads to runway 26, you will typically need to turn towards the left to align your aircraft with the runway heading of 260 degrees. Taking off straight ahead is not an option since it would just lead into the departure area and not align with the runway heading. A right turn would steer you away from the correct takeoff direction, and turning 180 degrees would also be inappropriate as it would lead you in the opposite direction of the designated runway.

Thus, turning left onto runway 26 enables you to take off in the correct direction as intended by the runway designation. Understanding these interactions between taxiways, runway headings, and departure instructions is crucial for safe and effective flight operations.