Hold Short
Hold short is an ATC instruction requiring a pilot to stop the aircraft at a designated point and not proceed beyond it without further clearance. Hold-short instructions are most commonly issued at runway holding positions, preventing aircraft from entering an active runway without clearance.
Runway Holding Position Markings
- Runway holding position marking: Two solid lines and two dashed lines across the taxiway — never cross toward the runway without clearance
- Sign: Red background with white text (e.g., “27-9”) identifies the runway and the holding position
- Lighting: Elevated in-pavement runway guard lights (flashing yellow) may mark the holding position at busy airports
Readback Requirement
Any hold-short instruction must be read back verbatim. This is a mandatory readback item under both ICAO standards and CARs. The controller must confirm the readback before the pilot proceeds. Failure to read back a hold-short instruction is a communication error that could precede a runway incursion.
On the TC Written Exam
Know the appearance of runway holding position markings, the meaning of the sign, and the mandatory readback requirement. Runway incursion prevention is a consistent Transport Canada safety priority.
Related Terms
See also: Runway, Ground Control, Readback.