Land & Hold Short Operations

Land and Hold Short Operations is holding short of an intersecting runway, taxiway, or some other designated point on a runway after landing.

Land & Hold Short Operations

Introduction to Land & Hold Short Operations

  • Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO), formerly Simultaneous Operations on Intersecting Runways (SOIR), is an air traffic control (ATC) procedure that requires pilot participation to balance the needs for increased airport capacity and system efficiency while remaining consistent with safety.
    • These can include landing and holding short of an intersecting runway, an intersecting taxiway, or some other designated point on a runway other than an intersecting runway or taxiway.
  • Reinforce your understanding of Land & Hold Short Operations by completing the knowledge quiz and interactive scenario, comparing your performance with the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and reviewing the topic summary before moving on.
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Land & Hold Short Operations

Land & Hold Short Operations Key Highlights

  • Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) authorize aircraft to land and stop before reaching an intersecting runway, taxiway, or designated point.
  • LAHSO procedures improve airport efficiency and traffic flow while maintaining established safety standards.
  • Pilots may accept or decline a LAHSO clearance based on aircraft performance, runway conditions, weather, and operational considerations.
  • Available Landing Distance (ALD) information is published to help pilots determine whether safe stopping capability exists.
  • Wet, contaminated, or degraded runway conditions can significantly affect stopping performance during LAHSO operations.
  • Pilots should conduct thorough landing performance calculations before accepting a LAHSO clearance.
  • Air traffic control provides LAHSO instructions and hold-short points as part of the landing clearance.
  • Pilots remain responsible for maintaining aircraft control and ensuring the aircraft stops before the designated hold-short point.
  • Night operations, reduced visibility, and unfamiliar airport layouts may increase workload during LAHSO procedures.
  • Understanding LAHSO procedures improves runway safety, operational decision-making, and airport traffic management.
Land & Hold Short Operations

LAHSO Preparation

  • Like most aspects of aviation, performing an operation such as LAHSO begins on the ground, before you take off
  • First, determine if LAHSO is likely at your destination
    • This information can be found in the remarks section of the U.S. Chart Supplement for the arrival airport
  • If the airport does have LAHSO then you need to determine your landing performance
  • Next, given your expected performance, review the Available Landing Distance (ALD).
    • ALD information is published in the Chart Supplement U.S. and the U.S. Terminal Procedures Publications.
    • Controllers will provide ALD data upon request.
    • Keep this information with you during the flight for your reference
    • If you are unfamiliar with the assigned hold-short point, or if you are task saturated, you can always ask the controller for the ALD prior to accepting the clearance.
  • If caught off-guard by the request upon reaching your destination, ATC can provide landing distance available information
Land & Hold Short Operations

LAHSO Requirements

  • Pilots must first be notified that LAHSO operations are in effect by either controllers or ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) recordings
  • The controller must exchange traffic information to both aircraft involved and obtain an acknowledgment from each
  • Appropriate runway markings and signs must be installed
  • Appropriate runway lighting must be installed and operable
  • A VGLI or electronic glide slope is required for the landing runway during the day, and only a VGLI on the landing runway is authorized for night
  • The ALD for the landing runway must be free from contaminants (ice, snow, water)
  • The weather has to be basic VFR (Visual Flight Rules) (1000-foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility)
  • The tailwind on the hold short runway must be calm (less than 3 knots)
Land & Hold Short Operations

LAHSO Situational Awareness

  • Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Runway
    Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Runway
  • Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Taxiway
    Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Taxiway
  • Land and Hold Short of a Designated Point on a Runway Other Than an Intersecting Runway or Taxiway
    Land and Hold Short of a Designated Point on a
    Runway Other Than an Intersecting Runway or Taxiway
  • Situational awareness is vital to the success of LAHSO. Situational awareness starts with having current airport information in the cockpit, readily accessible to the pilot. (An airport diagram assists pilots in identifying their location on the airport, thus reducing requests for "progressive taxi instructions" from controllers)
  • Situational awareness includes effective pilot-controller radio communication. ATC expects pilots to specifically acknowledge and read back all LAHSO clearances as follows:
    • ATC: "[Callsign], cleared to land runway 6R, hold short of taxiway bravo for crossing traffic [Type Aircraft]"
    • PILOT: "[Callsign], wilco, cleared to land runway 6R to hold short of taxiway bravo"
    • ATC: "[Callsign], cross runway 6R at taxiway bravo, landing aircraft will hold short"
    • PILOT: "[Callsign], wilco, cross runway 6R at bravo, landing traffic [Type Aircraft] to hold"
  • LAHSO hold-short markings located on the landing runway require the pilot to stop only after the pilot has accepted a LAHSO clearance; without an accepted LAHSO clearance, the landing clearance authorizes use of the full runway. Once accepted, the LAHSO clearance must be followed unless ATC issues an amended clearance or an emergency occurs.
  • Situational awareness also includes a thorough understanding of the airport markings, signage, and lighting associated with LAHSO. These visual aids consist of a three-part system of yellow hold-short markings, red and white signage and, in certain cases, in-pavement lighting. Visual aids assist the pilot in determining where to hold short. Pilots are cautioned that not all airports conducting LAHSO have installed any or all of the above markings, signage, or lighting [//]
  • Pilots should only receive a LAHSO clearance when there is a minimum ceiling of 1,000 feet and visibility of 3 statute miles.
    • The intent of having "basic" VFR weather conditions is to allow pilots to maintain visual contact with other aircraft and ground vehicle operations. Pilots should consider the effects of prevailing inflight visibility (such as landing into the sun) and how it may affect overall situational awareness. Additionally, surface vehicles and aircraft being taxied by maintenance personnel may also be participating in LAHSO, especially in those operations that involve crossing an active runway.
  • Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Runway
    Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Runway
  • Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Taxiway
    Land and Hold Short of an Intersecting Taxiway
  • Land and Hold Short of a Designated Point on a Runway Other Than an Intersecting Runway or Taxiway
    Land and Hold Short of a Designated Point on a Runway Other Than an Intersecting Runway or Taxiway
Land & Hold Short Operations

LAHSO Procedures

  • To conduct LAHSO, pilots should become familiar with all available information concerning LAHSO at their destination airport.
    • Pilots should have, readily available, the published ALD and runway slope information for all LAHSO runway combinations at each airport of intended landing. Additionally, knowledge about landing performance data permits the pilot to readily determine that the ALD for the assigned runway is sufficient for safe LAHSO.
      • ALD data is published in the special notices section of the Chart Supplement U.S. and controllers will provide this information on request as well.
    • As part of a pilot's preflight planning process, pilots should determine if their destination airport has LAHSO. If so, their preflight planning process should include an assessment of which LAHSO combinations would work for them given their aircraft's required landing distance. Good pilot decision-making is knowing in advance whether one can accept a LAHSO clearance if offered.
  • If, for any reason, such as difficulty in discerning the location of a LAHSO intersection, wind conditions, aircraft condition, etc., the pilot elects to request to land on the full length of the runway, to land on another runway, or to decline LAHSO, a pilot is expected to promptly inform air traffic, ideally even before the clearance is issued. A LAHSO clearance, once accepted, must be adhered to, just as any other ATC clearance, unless an amended clearance is obtained or an emergency occurs. A LAHSO clearance does not preclude a rejected landing
  • A pilot who accepts a LAHSO clearance should land and exit the runway at the first convenient taxiway (unless directed otherwise) before reaching the hold short point. Otherwise, the pilot must stop and hold at the hold short point. If a rejected landing becomes necessary after accepting a LAHSO clearance, the pilot should maintain safe separation from other aircraft or vehicles, and should promptly notify the controller
  • Controllers need a full read back of all LAHSO clearances. Pilots should read back their LAHSO clearance and include the words, "HOLD SHORT OF (RUNWAY/TAXIWAY/OR POINT)" in their acknowledgment of all LAHSO clearances. In order to reduce frequency congestion, pilots are encouraged to read back the LAHSO clearance without prompting. Don't make the controller have to ask for a read back!
Land & Hold Short Operations

LAHSO Responsibilities

  • Pilot LAHSO Responsibilities:

    • Determine if a destination airport has LAHSO
    • Determine the Available Landing Distance (ALD) as part of preflight planning
    • Determine landing performance
    • Accept, or deny the LAHSO clearance
    • Adhere to a clearance once accepted unless an amended clearance is received or an emergency occurs.

  • Controller LAHSO Responsibilities:

    • Solicit LAHSO request
    • Provide ALD information as requested
Land & Hold Short Operations

Land & Hold Short Operations Interactive Scenario

Aircraft operations illustration for Land and Hold Short Operations.

The Wet-Runway LAHSO Offer

Evaluate, accept, reject, and execute a LAHSO clearance as runway condition, tailwind, visual cues, approach stability, and braking margin change. Abbreviations used in this scenario: Pilot in Command (PIC).

15 DecisionsScenario-Based TrainingLand and Hold Short OperationsConsequence-BasedRetry and Debrief
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete

Land & Hold Short Operations

Land & Hold Short Operations Knowledge Check

Choose the knowledge check that matches your current training for Land & Hold Short Operations.

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PPL knowledge check

Core Knowledge Review

Review foundational knowledge, key concepts, and practical considerations. Topic: Land & Hold Short Operations.

  • Immediate feedback
  • Answer explanations
  • Account progress tracking

Why Take a Quiz?

Quizzes reinforce key concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for real-world decisions. Quiz material is representative of the information provided here and is not based on or sourced from the Federal Aviation Administration test bank.

Land & Hold Short Operations

Land and Hold Short Operations Conclusion

  • LAHSO operations will be announced by ATIS or the controller, when appropriate
  • This procedure can be done safely provided pilots and controllers are knowledgeable and understand their responsibilities
  • As the final authority for safety and operation of the aircraft, Pilots-In-Command may accept such a clearance when it is determined the aircraft can safely land and stop (with a safety margin) within the ALD.
    • Pilots are expected to decline a LAHSO clearance if they determine it will compromise safety.
  • Student pilots or pilots unfamiliar with LAHSO should not participate in the program
  • Good pilot decision-making is knowing in advance whether one can accept a LAHSO clearance if offered
  • For those airplanes flown with two crewmembers, effective intra-cockpit communication between cockpit crewmembers is also critical. There have been several instances where the pilot working the radios accepted a LAHSO clearance but then simply forgot to tell the pilot flying the aircraft
  • Consideration should be given to braking performance, especially on wet runways
  • ATC requests Land and Hold Short when determined that the minimum distances prescribed in FAA Order 7360.1
  • Additional resources are available through tools such as the FAA's Runway Safety Simulator.
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Land & Hold Short Operations

Land and Hold Short Operations References