FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Airspace and AirportsEasy
A pilot taxiing to the runway approaches a marking with two solid yellow lines followed by two dashed yellow lines, with the solid lines closest to the pilot. What does this marking indicate?
- AA boundary marking indicating the edge of a closed taxiway
- BAn ILS critical area boundary that only applies during low visibility
- CA runway holding position marking where the aircraft must stop before entering the runway
- DA taxiway centerline that should be followed to the runway
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A runway holding position marking where the aircraft must stop before entering the runway
This is the standard runway holding position marking, consisting of four yellow lines (two solid, two dashed) painted across the taxiway. The solid lines face the aircraft approaching the runway, indicating the pilot must stop there unless cleared onto the runway.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Closed taxiways are marked with yellow X symbols, not this line pattern.
- B. ILS critical area markings use a different pattern with ladder-style lines and are separate from this.
- D. A taxiway centerline is a single continuous yellow line, not this four-line pattern.
Runway Holding Position Marking
A marking consisting of two solid and two dashed yellow lines across a taxiway, indicating where aircraft must stop before entering a runway unless cleared by ATC.
- Solid lines face the pilot approaching the runway
- Aircraft must hold short of the solid lines until cleared
- At nontowered airports, pilots hold short and check for traffic before crossing
Memory trick: Solid lines say STOP, dashed lines say you may go if cleared