Definition
A former air traffic control instruction directing a pilot to taxi onto an active runway, line up on the centerline, and hold in position until cleared for takeoff. This phraseology was retired by the FAA in 2010 and replaced with 'Line Up and Wait' to align with international ICAO standards.
Plain English
An older instruction telling a pilot to drive the aircraft onto the runway and stop there, ready for takeoff, but not yet allowed to start the takeoff roll. Today's pilots will hear 'Line Up and Wait' instead.
Context Anchor
You may see this phrase in older aviation training material or hear pilots use it informally. In current FAA phraseology, the equivalent instruction is “line up and wait.”
Derivation
Position' refers to the takeoff position on the runway, and 'hold' means to remain stationary. The phrase literally meant 'take your takeoff position and stay there.' It was changed because international pilots and controllers used 'Line Up and Wait,' and standardizing the wording reduced the risk of runway incursions caused by miscommunication.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains proper runway sequencing and reduces the chance of runway incursions by keeping aircraft in a controlled, visible holding spot.
Intuition Check
Do not read “hold” as permission to go after a short pause. It means stay stopped or remain in position until air traffic control gives a separate takeoff clearance.
Example Sentence 1
In the 1995 incident report, the tower instructed the crew to position and hold on Runway 27 while landing traffic cleared the runway.
Example Sentence 2
While holding in position we completed our final engine checks before receiving takeoff clearance.