Definition
A row of red lights installed across the taxiway at the hold-short position for a runway equipped with low-visibility taxi routes. The bars are illuminated only during low-visibility operations and indicate the location at which a pilot or vehicle must stop and obtain ATC clearance before proceeding onto the runway.
Plain English
A line of red lights set into the taxiway just before a runway. When they are lit, you must stop and wait for ATC permission before crossing.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach visibility rules, especially when deciding whether the approach lights provide enough visual reference to continue below 100 feet above the touchdown zone.
Derivation
Called 'terminating' because they mark the point at which taxiing must end (terminate) until clearance is given. 'Bar' refers to the line of lights set across the taxiway surface.
Why Pilots Care
They provide a clear visual cue confirming the end of the approach lighting system and the start of the runway environment during low-visibility approaches.
Intuition Check
Do not read “red terminating bars” as red stop bars or runway hold-position lights. Here, they are part of the approach lighting system and are used as a close-in landing visual reference.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching the runway in fog, the crew stopped at the illuminated red terminating bars and held until tower issued a crossing clearance.
Example Sentence 2
During the low-visibility approach the red terminating bars provided the required visual reference to continue below the decision altitude.