Definition
A yellow taxiway centerline marking that begins at the runway holding position marking and curves onto the taxiway centerline, providing visual guidance for an aircraft exiting the runway onto the taxiway.
Plain English
A painted yellow line that shows you the path to follow as you turn off the runway and roll onto the taxiway.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport diagrams, runway hotspot discussions, and on pavement markings where aircraft leave a runway.
Derivation
"Lead-off" means to guide away from a starting point. The line leads the aircraft off the runway and onto the taxiway, which is how the marking gets its name.
Why Pilots Care
Reduces runway incursions by clearly marking the correct exit path at complex or confusing intersections.
Intuition Check
Do not read “lead-off” as “go first” or as a takeoff instruction. In this context, it means the painted line that guides the aircraft away from the runway.
Example Sentence 1
After landing, the pilot followed the lead-off taxiline to clear the runway and join the parallel taxiway.
Example Sentence 2
In low visibility the crew used the lead-off taxiline markings to confirm the safe turnoff at the hotspot.