How should you phrase a hold-short clearance to a pilot?

• A. Hold short of Runway X at Taxiway Y, or hold short of Runway X.
• B. Proceed to Runway X.
• C. Stop immediately.
• D. Continue taxiing past the hold line.

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is telling the pilot exactly where to stop so they don’t enter a runway environment. A hold-short clearance must specify the runway and the precise location where the aircraft should stop, such as “hold short of Runway X at Taxiway Y” or simply “hold short of Runway X.” This gives the pilot a clear, unambiguous point of stopping to maintain separation from traffic on the runway.

Saying “Proceed to Runway X” would authorize moving toward the runway, which defeats the purpose of holding short and risks crossing into the runway area. “Stop immediately” lacks a defined location, which can be unsafe if the aircraft is not at the hold point. “Continue taxiing past the hold line” directly contradicts a hold-short instruction by allowing crossing the hold line.