The land and hold short clearance (LAHSO) is an optional safety procedure where an arriving aircraft lands and stops before the intersection with another runway or zone, or aborts takeoff at a designated point. Pilots must weigh aircraft performance, runway conditions, weather, and traffic to decide whether to accept or decline the clearance. This article explains when it is prudent to decline a LAHSO clearance and how to communicate the decision clearly and professionally to air traffic control (ATC).
What Is Land And Hold Short Operations
LAHSO allows controllers to improve runway throughput by requiring an arriving aircraft to land and stop before a designated point, or to land and hold short of a crossing runway or taxiway. Acceptance depends on the aircraft’s performance data, the runway length, braking action, surface condition, weather, and surrounding traffic. A pilot may be cleared to LAHSO only if the operation can be completed safely without compromising separation from other traffic.
When to Consider Declining LAHSO
A pilot should consider declining a LAHSO clearance if any of the following are true or could impact safety:
- Insufficient landing distance to stop safely before the hold-short point given current weight, speed, and braking performance.
- Worsening or marginal braking action due to wet, icy, or contaminated runway surfaces.
- Adverse weather or visibility that would prevent maintaining the required visual reference to the hold-short point or the opposite traffic path.
- Unfavorable wind conditions, including strong crosswinds or gusts, that could make it difficult to land short of the intersection and stop within available distance.
- Unknown or degraded runway lighting, signage, or markings that obscure the hold-short point or intersecting traffic path.
- Intersecting traffic activity (other aircraft or vehicles) that could create an unsafe situation during landing, rollout, or hold-short taxiing.
- Aircraft performance limitations, such as high takeoff or landing speeds, heavy weight, or lack of braking performance for the specific runway conditions.
- Any operational constraint or instruction from ATC that would introduce risk to safety or violate standard operating procedures.
In practice, pilots often rely on published performance data, landing distance calculations, and real-time ATC updates. If the pilot cannot confidently meet the hold-short point and maintain safe separation from all traffic, the appropriate action is to decline.
Procedural Considerations And Phrases
Declining a LAHSO clearance should be done in a clear, professional manner. Typical steps and phrases include:
- Confirm the LAHSO clearance with ATC to ensure mutual understanding of the exact hold-short point.
- If unable to comply, respond with a concise statement such as “Unable LAHSO, due to [brief reason],” followed by a request for standard landing clearance if appropriate.
- Be prepared to provide the reason succinctly and avoid technical jargon that could confuse ATC or other pilots.
- Verify that you have sufficient runway length and braking capability for the planned approach, considering current weight, density altitude, and runway conditions.
Example phrases rank among the most effective: “Unable LAHSO due to braking action and landing distance concerns,” or “Requesting full-length landing clearance.” ATC may offer alternatives, such as longer landing runway, different approach, or delaying the LAHSO clearance.
Factors That Impact Safety
Several factors influence the safety of accepting or declining LAHSO:
- Runway Condition: Wet, contaminated, or slippery surfaces increase stopping distance and reduce deceleration capability.
- Runway Length: Available landing distance must be sufficient to stop before the hold-short point with a safety margin.
- Weather: Visibility, wind speed and direction, and gusts affect approach stability and the accuracy of the hold-short location.
- Traffic Density: Other landings, arrivals, or departures can complicate spacing and increase risk if a late decision is needed.
- Aircraft Performance: Weight, power settings, braking efficiency, and braking system status influence stopping distance.
- Notes and Restrictions: NOTAMs, weather advisories, and operator-specific SOPs may impose additional constraints.
Common Scenarios And Examples
Understanding typical LAHSO scenarios helps pilots evaluate safety quickly:
- Clear, dry runway with ample length and light traffic: Likely suitable for LAHSO if performance data supports stopping before the hold-short point.
- Wet runway with marginal braking action and approaching gusty winds: Decline LAHSO to avoid reduced stopping capability and uncertain hold-short performance.
- Intersecting traffic on a busy approach path: Decline LAHSO if separation cannot be guaranteed or if timing would be tight.
- Recent braking system anomaly or tire condition concerns: Decline LAHSO until issues are resolved or a standard full-length landing is cleared.
Practical Tips For Pilots
To make safe, timely decisions regarding LAHSO, pilots can follow these best practices:
- Review performance data and simulate the landing distance for the expected weight and density altitude before contacting ATC.
- Ask for clarification if the hold-short point or intersecting traffic is not clearly identified in the clearance.
- Maintain a high level of situational awareness and be prepared to transition to a standard landing clearance if conditions change.
- Communicate decisions promptly and professionally, avoiding vague responses that could imply agreement without certainty.
- Document the rationale for declining in the flight log for post-flight review and safety culture.
LAHSO remains a valuable tool for improving runway efficiency, but it requires careful judgment. When in doubt about stopping distance, braking action, or traffic separation, pilots should decline the clearance and request a standard full-length landing instead.