Learn what ATC 'hold position' means while taxiing, where to stop, what to read back, and how it differs from a hold-short instruction.
In real-world aviation and flight simulation, ATC’s “hold position” instruction means stop the aircraft where it is and remain there until ATC gives a further instruction or clearance. While taxiing, brake promptly but safely, do not continue to the next intersection or holding point, and read back the instruction with your callsign.
What should you do after “hold position”?
Stop at your present location; the instruction does not authorise you to roll ahead to a more convenient stopping place.
- Decelerate safely: Apply the brakes promptly without locking the wheels, losing directional control or endangering anyone standing in the cabin.
- Stop where you are: Do not continue to the next taxiway, painted line or sign unless ATC names that location.
- Read it back: Confirm that you are holding and include your callsign.
- Wait for a positive instruction: Remain stopped until ATC says something such as “continue taxi”, issues a revised route or gives another explicit clearance. Seeing the conflicting traffic pass is not permission to move.
If the instruction arrives while you are already stationary, it simply means remain where you are. It temporarily overrides the movement authorised by your earlier taxi clearance. Our explanation of taxi clearance, ground control and runway-entry authority covers the wider ATC context.
How is “hold position” different from “hold short”?
“Hold position” means stop at your present location, while “hold short” identifies a boundary that you may approach but must not cross.
| ATC phrase | Required action |
|---|---|
| Hold position | Stop as soon as safely practicable and remain where you are. |
| Hold short of Runway 27 | Taxi towards Runway 27, then stop before its runway holding-position marking. |
| Taxi to holding point A1 | Proceed to the named holding point and stop there; this does not clear you onto the runway. |
| Line up and wait | Enter the specified runway, align with it and wait, but only after receiving that explicit instruction. |
When approaching a runway from a taxiway, stop before the solid pair of lines at the holding-position marking. See our guide to recognising runway signs and surface markings if the boundary is unclear.
A restriction can also protect an instrument landing system rather than the runway itself. If ATC says to hold short of an ILS critical or sensitive area, stop at the designated ILS holding-position marking, not at whichever line looks closest to the runway.
What should you say back to ATC?
Read back the restriction clearly enough to show that you understood it. A normal exchange is G-ABCD, hold position, followed by Holding position, G-ABCD.
Exact radiotelephony wording and mandatory readback rules vary by country, but a bare “roger” is poor practice because it does not confirm the movement restriction. Repeat any named runway, taxiway or holding point when one is included.
Why does ATC issue a hold-position instruction?
ATC uses “hold position” when movement must stop at once rather than at a named future limit. Common reasons include crossing traffic, an aircraft pushing back, opposite-direction taxiing, runway sequencing, emergency vehicles or insufficient wingtip clearance.
The reason may follow the instruction, as in Hold position, traffic crossing left to right. Do not wait to identify that traffic before stopping; the controller may be protecting you from something outside your field of view.
What if you cannot stop or are unsure where you are?
Maintain control first, then tell ATC immediately if you cannot comply exactly. Use Unable with your callsign and a concise explanation rather than accepting an instruction you cannot safely follow.
If you have already crossed a holding line when the call arrives, stop as soon as safely practicable and report your exact position. Do not reverse, turn off or cross back over the line without clearance. If you are uncertain that the instruction was addressed to you, ask ATC to confirm instead of guessing.
Does “hold position” mean the same in a flight simulator?
Yes. With built-in or human-controlled ATC, realistic procedure is to stop, acknowledge the instruction and wait for a release.
A taxi ribbon, moving map or progressive guidance line is only a route aid; it is not an ATC clearance and may continue across your stopping point. This distinction is especially useful when using taxi guidance in Microsoft Flight Simulator. If automated ATC fails to release you, use the available repeat or taxi-request options rather than treating silence as permission to move.