Where are you?
You're approaching a set of airport markings. Where are you?
Pick an answer. You can try as many as you like.
Read the full explanation
B. On a runway, approaching a taxiway
Reading the hold short line
The markings in the video are runway holding position markings, the hold short line. They're four yellow lines across the pavement, two solid and two dashed (AIM 2-3-5). The solid lines are always on the side where the aircraft must hold. The dashed lines are always on the runway side.
In the video, the dashed lines are closest to you. That puts you on the runway side of the marking, so you're on a runway, approaching a taxiway.
But the centerline is yellow
Taxiway centerlines are yellow, and so are the lead-off lines that take you off a runway onto an exit taxiway. A yellow line under the nose doesn't tell you which side of the hold short line you're on. An aircraft exiting a runway isn't clear of the runway until every part of the airplane has crossed the holding position marking (AIM 2-3-5). Until then, you're still on the runway.
Markings that look similar
Non-movement area boundary -- The edge of the ramp, where ATC's movement area begins. It's one solid and one dashed yellow line, with the solid line on the non-movement area side (AIM 2-3-6).
ILS critical area holding position -- Two solid yellow lines joined by short crossbars, so it looks like a yellow ladder across the taxiway (AIM 2-3-5).
Four lines, two solid and two dashed, is a runway holding position marking.
References
- AIM Chapter 2, Section 3Airport Marking Aids and Signs. See 2-3-5, Holding Position Markings, and 2-3-6, Other Markings.
Share your thoughts / Suggest a quiz
Tell us what you thought of this quiz, or suggest a topic for a future one.
Fly the syllabus at your own pace. Practice in VR and impress your flight instructor with how fast you improve.


