New taxi into position and hold (TIPH) guidance for pilots became effective February 5. It includes new ATC procedures and phraseology to improve runway safety.
Because of “undesirable” events involving TIPH, the FAA convened a safety risk management panel consisting of representatives from the agency’s Air Traffic Service and Flight Standards Service, as well as certain specialists, including experts in aviation human factors.

The panel’s analysis of accidents and incidents involving airplanes holding in position revealed that in a number of cases, two minutes or more had elapsed between the “position and hold” instruction and an undesirable event, usually a land-over or a go-around.

According to the new guidance, ATC will issue traffic advisories to aircraft holding in position and to aircraft holding, departing or arriving on an intersecting runway. Unless explicitly advised of a delay, pilots should anticipate an imminent takeoff clearance after being issued a “position and hold” clearance. A pilot should ask ATC about any unexplained delay in receiving a takeoff clearance.

When holding short or when holding in position, a pilot should be especially attentive to all radio transmissions from ATC, including acknowledgements from other aircraft. All pilots should become familiar with the improved ATC procedures and phraseology.