What is a holding position and how is it lit?
A holding position is the point on a taxiway where aircraft and vehicles stop short of a runway until ATC clears them. It is never shown by one cue alone — a marking, a sign and lights all mark the same spot.
A runway holding position is the designated spot on a taxiway where an aircraft or vehicle must stop and wait for ATC clearance before entering or crossing a runway. Because a missed hold is a runway incursion, it is shown by several cues layered at the same location rather than a single fixture. On the surface, a holding position marking of two solid and two dashed yellow lines is painted across the taxiway, with the solid lines on the side where the aircraft waits. Beside the taxiway, a mandatory runway holding position sign with white text on a red background repeats the message on both sides.
At night and in low visibility, lighting is added. Taxiway edge lights and green centreline lights guide the aircraft up to the hold. A stop bar, a row of steady red lights across the taxiway, is placed at the holding position on the aircraft side of the marking, is switched on to hold traffic and off to release it, and is interlocked so the centreline lights beyond it go out while it is lit. Runway guard lights, flashing yellow (in the common elevated arrangement, two lights each side of the taxiway flashing alternately), warn that the pilot is about to enter an active runway. The distance of the position from the runway centreline depends on the runway code and type; for a code 3 or 4 precision approach runway it is typically around 90 m, with smaller distances for lower codes and larger values where elevation, radio aids or code letter F apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a runway holding position?
A designated position on a taxiway where aircraft and vehicles must stop and hold until ATC clears them onto or across the runway. It is marked on the surface, signed beside the taxiway and, where provided, lit.
Q2How is a holding position shown visually?
By layered cues at the same spot: a runway holding position marking painted across the taxiway, a mandatory runway holding position sign on both sides, runway guard lights, and, where provided, a red stop bar across the taxiway.
Q3What is the difference between a stop bar and runway guard lights?
A stop bar is a row of steady red lights across the taxiway that is switched on to say “stop” and off to say “proceed”, with the taxiway centreline lights beyond it extinguished while it is on. Runway guard lights are flashing yellow lights that warn that you are about to enter an active runway, and they are on whenever they are provided and in use.
Q4How far from the runway is the holding position?
It depends on the runway code and type. For a code 3 or 4 precision approach runway it is typically around 90 m from the runway centreline, with smaller distances for lower codes. Larger distances can apply, for example for code letter F, a holding position higher than the threshold, or protection of the ILS. Confirm against Annex 14 Table 3-2 and local rules.
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