Definition
The location on the runway where the airplane is aligned with the runway centerline and stopped or rolling at the point from which the takeoff roll will begin, after entering from a taxiway and being cleared (or, at a non-towered field, having confirmed it is safe) to depart.
Plain English
The spot on the runway where you line up straight with the centerline, ready to start your takeoff run.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight and before-takeoff checks, especially when confirming items such as flaps, trim, seats, or controls are set correctly.
Why Pilots Care
Determines how much runway is available ahead, influences wind component calculations, and affects obstacle clearance planning.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as the airplane’s location on the runway. In this context, takeoff position usually means the correct setting of an item for takeoff.
Example Sentence 1
After completing the runup, the pilot taxied onto the runway and stopped in the takeoff position.
Example Sentence 2
With a strong crosswind, the instructor chose a different takeoff position farther down the runway to gain extra directional control.