Land and hold short operations (LAHSO)
LAHSO = Land And Hold Short Operations. Tower airport: ATC may clear landing and stop, or turn off, before an intersecting runway (or a marked hold point) so another aircraft can use the crossing runway (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9).
Clearance rules:
- ATC issues it when simultaneous operations are in progress (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9).
- PIC has complete authority to accept or decline (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9).
- Accept only if you know aircraft can land and stop within the landing distance available to the hold line.
- Unsure you can hold short: decline, advise ATC immediately, ask for full runway (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9). Must decline if it would compromise safety.
LAHSO weather minima (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9):
| Ceiling | Visibility | Crosswind | Tailwind | Runway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≥1,000 ft | ≥3 SM | ≤25 kt | ≤5 kt | dry |
- Not authorized (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9):
- runway wet or contaminated
- thunderstorms, turbulence, or wind shear that could affect holding short
- precipitation occurring or reported
- ATC may offer tailwind up to 10 kt. Decline if landing-distance calculation did not allow for it (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9).
Hold point and distance (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9):
- LDA (landing distance available): threshold (or displaced threshold) to 200 ft short of nearest edge of intersecting runway.
- LDA published in CAP and CFS; ATC broadcasts it by ATIS or voice advisory well before final approach descent.
- Hold point marked by:
- hold lines 200 ft before intersecting runway's edge
- red-and-white mandatory instruction signs
- flashing LAHSO lights, where provided
After clearance (TC AIM RAC 4.4.9):
- ATC gives specific hold-short directions, e.g. "Cleared to land Runway 27, hold short of Runway 36".
- Read back full clearance.
- Once accepted, must remain 200 ft short of intersecting runway.
- Rejected landing becomes necessary after accepting LAHSO: maintain safe separation from other traffic, notify ATC as soon as possible.
Naming: older Canadian references say SIRO (Simultaneous Intersecting Runway Operations). Current TC AIM (TP 1102) uses LAHSO.
Trap: LAHSO clearance is not mandatory. Any pilot (VFR or IFR) may decline and take full length, no emergency needed.
References
- TC AIM RAC 4.4.9