Definition
Stop Burst (also called Stop Bar) is a row of red, in-pavement lights installed across a taxiway at a runway holding position. When illuminated, the lights form a continuous red bar that pilots may not cross, even if a previous taxi clearance was issued. The lights are extinguished by ATC to authorize the aircraft to proceed onto the runway.
Plain English
A line of red lights set into the taxiway surface where it meets the runway. If the red lights are on, you stop and stay back. When ATC turns them off, you may continue.
Context Anchor
Heard on the radio when ATC is using the aircraft transponder to identify or separate radar targets.
Derivation
From 'stop' (halt) and 'burst,' here meaning a short, bright row of light. The term emphasizes that the lit bar acts as a hard stop signal, regardless of any earlier clearance.
Why Pilots Care
Improper use can cause skidding, tire damage, or runway excursions; correct technique ensures a safe, predictable stop.
Intuition Check
Do not read “burst” here as an explosion or a sudden gust of weather. In this ATC phrase, it means a short extra electronic signal used for radar identification.
Example Sentence 1
Approaching Runway 27, the crew saw the stop burst illuminated and held short until tower confirmed the lights were extinguished.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor demonstrated a stop burst using reverse thrust just before the aircraft reached the taxiway turnoff.