FAA Adopts ICAO’s ‘Line Up and Wait’ Terminology


Current FAA terminology for an air traffic controller’s instruction for a pilot to taxi onto the runway and await takeoff clearance is “position and hold.” This will change on September 30 to “line up and wait,” the standard terminology under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines. The FAA’s decision comes 10 years after the NTSB recommended that the FAA adopt and require the use of standard ICAO phraseology for airport surface operations. In addition, the FAA’s air traffic procedures advisory committee has also requested the agency revise U.S. policy to require the use of “line up and wait” rather than “position and hold.” The FAA’s ATO Terminal Services safety risk management panel cleared the change, and it will take effect at the end of this month.