Clarification about 'Line up and wait'
Thread Starter

Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Canada
Clarification about 'Line up and wait'
After recieving a line and wait behind clearance and after the stop bar lights have been switched off can one advance past the hold short line before the preceding traffic has started their take off roll?

Joined: Mar 2006
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From: USA
You can. From the FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary:
LINE UP AND WAIT (LUAW)
Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance cannot immediately be issued because of traffic or other reasons.
Used by ATC to inform a pilot to taxi onto the departure runway to line up and wait. It is not authorization for takeoff. It is used when takeoff clearance cannot immediately be issued because of traffic or other reasons.

Joined: Nov 2007
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From: malta
I agree there are limits and you are the one to decide, but at busy airports with long entries unto the runway, this question seems rather valid.

Joined: Feb 2001
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From: The Winchester
Since LHR has been mentioned and for the benefit of the OP, this from mLido LHR procedures:
(apologies for the formatting).
Minimum Runway Occupancy Time (MROT)
Ensure standard MROT procedures and in addition:
When receiving a conditional line-up CLR on a preceding DEP ACFT, remain behind the subject ACFT but
may cross RWY HLDG point (subject to there being no illuminated red stop bar) and enter RWY upon
receipt CLR. There is no requirement for the subject ACFT to have commenced its TKOF roll before
entering RWY. Be aware of the blast hazard.
Ensure standard MROT procedures and in addition:
When receiving a conditional line-up CLR on a preceding DEP ACFT, remain behind the subject ACFT but
may cross RWY HLDG point (subject to there being no illuminated red stop bar) and enter RWY upon
receipt CLR. There is no requirement for the subject ACFT to have commenced its TKOF roll before
entering RWY. Be aware of the blast hazard.

Joined: Jul 2016
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
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From: Broughton, UK
If there are no other aircraft in front of you, then you enter the runway and Line Up, and Wait. The Wait is for any other traffic to get clear your intended flight path.
If there is an aircraft in front of you, it is advisable not to position your light Cessna aircraft anywhere near the tail of a Commercial Airliner, as the Jet Blast will flip you over even from 200 yards behind.... It is most likely that ATC would never request you to do that.
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If there is an aircraft in front of you, it is advisable not to position your light Cessna aircraft anywhere near the tail of a Commercial Airliner, as the Jet Blast will flip you over even from 200 yards behind.... It is most likely that ATC would never request you to do that.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Between a rock and a hard place
Again why the rush even if it is legal? You won't get issued a take off clearance


Joined: Feb 2001
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From: The Winchester
You won't get issued a take off clearance within seconds of the other guy going wheels up
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: last time I looked I was still here.
At STN & LGW it is not uncommon to receive an ATC, "expect late landing clearance, one to depart." If you are not lined up and ready to go as soon as the first landing has his tail bone over the vacated line ATC will not be best pleased; even more the one on short finals who has to GA. There is a huge difference at semi-quiet airfields where you can gently roll onto the strip for a smooth no rush rolling take off; and the maximising pushing tin during rush hour at others. ATC and the plots have to be sharp, listen out & think ahead, and be ready for anything at anytime.
Years ago, when I was at LHR for a short while, they seemed to have a smart sequence of SID's where the 1st went left, then next right etc. This gave adequate, but short enough spacing on the SID's.
Years ago, when I was at LHR for a short while, they seemed to have a smart sequence of SID's where the 1st went left, then next right etc. This gave adequate, but short enough spacing on the SID's.
Only half a speed-brake

Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Commuting not home
Airmann: There was an Eurocontro Airport Capactiy Enhacement CD handed out to all pilots back home - about 12 years ago. With a nice video-clip for flight crew education that specifically said please DO cross the holding point without waiting (in your scenario).
Tried searching the internet for it now, but to no avail.
my 2c.
Tried searching the internet for it now, but to no avail.
my 2c.

Joined: Mar 2006
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From: USA
On a tangent, LGA used to say "LUAW, spool 'em up" or "LUAW, be ready to go". I haven't heard them say that in some time, but it's not uncommon to be in position with the engines spooled up before the clearance is issued so that the brakes can be released ASAP.
Only half a speed-brake

Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Commuting not home
Who said hoarding was a waste of time? 


Haha but no CD inside. The clever people of yesteryears thought such thing was entirely possible (pilots to pilots), and got ready: printing the essentials inside the cover.
Have a look.
@TangoAlpha: agreed, never found a practical use of the technique in LGW. But think of CDG 27L via Q14.



Haha but no CD inside. The clever people of yesteryears thought such thing was entirely possible (pilots to pilots), and got ready: printing the essentials inside the cover.
Have a look.
@TangoAlpha: agreed, never found a practical use of the technique in LGW. But think of CDG 27L via Q14.

Joined: Sep 2007
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From: EU
I have visited few airports where a holding point is located quite remotely - on the parallel taxiway, abeam of a glide slope transmitter (to avoid possible signal interference). Such a conditional clearance can save you a minute.
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Seat 1A
Originally Posted by Rat 5 off his rocker!
ATC and the plots have to be sharp, listen out & think ahead, and be ready for anything at anytime.




