Line Up and Wait – September 30th

LINE UP AND WAIT PHRASEOLOGY CHANGE

  • Beginning on September 30, 2010, the words “Position and Hold” will no longer be used to instruct a pilot to enter the runway and await takeoff clearance. Under the new “Line Up and Wait” phraseology, the controller will:
    • State the call-sign.
    • State the departure runway.
    • State “Line Up and Wait”.
  • Differences in phraseology contribute to runway incursions. Analysis by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that differences between FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) air traffic control phraseology contribute to runway incursion risks. NTSB recommended that the FAA adopt the international standard terminology: “Line Up and Wait” to replace “Position and Hold”.
  • FAA Safety Analysis. In accordance with its Safety Management System procedures, the FAA Air Traffic Organization conducted a safety analysis of this recommendation. FAA implemented mitigations to ensure a safe transition from the old phraseology to the new.
  • Exercise caution. Be aware the phrase “Traffic Holding in Position” will continue to be used to advise other aircraft that traffic has been authorized to “Line Up and Wait” on an active runway.
  • REMEMBER: Never cross a hold line without explicit ATC instructions. You may not enter a runway unless you have been:

    • Instructed to cross or taxi onto that specific runway
    • Cleared to take off from that runway, or
    • Instructed to “Line Up and Wait” on that specific runway

If in doubt ASK!

For more information on the change, refer to FAA Notice JO 7110.754, which can be found at: http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N7210.754.pdf