Line Up and Wait (LUAW)

Line up and wait procedures authorize an aircraft to hold in position on the runway postured for the upcoming departure. These operations help expedite the flow of departures at busy airports. Issue traffic information to any aircraft authorized LUAW.

Issue runway followed by the LUAW clearance.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L, line up and wait.

Do not issue a landing clearance to an aircraft requesting a full-stop, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, option, or unrestricted low approach on the same runway with an aircraft that is holding in position or taxiing to line up and wait until the aircraft in position start takeoff roll. Instruct arriving traffic to continue approach or extend traffic pattern.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L, continue, traffic holding in position.
N312PD, runway 17, extend downwind, traffic holding in position.

Do not authorize an aircraft to LUAW if an aircraft has been cleared to land, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, option, or unrestricted low approach on the same runway.

Inform aircraft on LUAW of the closest traffic within 6 flying miles requesting a full-stop, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, option, or unrestricted low approach to the same runway.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L, line up and wait. Traffic a B737, 6 mile final.

When aircraft are authorized to line up and wait on runways that intersect, traffic information must be exchanged between that aircraft and aircraft that is authorized to line up and wait, depart, or arrive on the intersecting runways.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 29, line up and wait, traffic holding runway 25.
N312PD, runway 25, line up and wait, traffic holding runway 29.
or
DAL1465, runway 29, cleared to land, traffic holding runway 25.
N312PD, runway 25 line up and wait, traffic landing runway 29.

Reemphasize any holding instructions if an ATC clearance is issued or amended by the local controller. State “hold short of runway” or “hold in position”.

Example:
DAL1465, departure frequency 128.1. Hold short of runway 16L.
DAL1465, squawk 0523. Hold in position.

State the runway followed by the intersection when issuing LUAW at an intersection on the runway. If an aircraft is to LUAW at full length and an aircraft is holding short of the same runway at an intersection, state “full length” in the LUAW clearance. Do not use the term full length when runway length for departure has been temporarily shortened. On permanently shortened runways, do not use the term full length” until the Chart Supplement U.S. is updated to include the changes.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L at H10, line up and wait.
DAL1465, runway 16L full length, line up and wait.

Whenever a runway length has been temporarily or permanently shortened, state the word “shortened” immediately following the runway number as part of the line up and wait clearance. The addition of “shortened” must be included in the line up and wait clearance for the duration of the construction project when the runway is temporarily shortened. The addition of “shortened” must be included in the line up and wait clearance until the Chart Supplement U.S. is updated to include the change(s) when the runway is permanently shortened.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L shortened, line up and wait.

Separation Standards

Anticipating Separation

Takeoff clearance needs not be withheld until prescribed separation exists if there is a reasonable assurance it will exist when the aircraft starts takeoff roll.

Same Runway Separation

Appropriate separation must be maintained at all times when handling arriving and departing aircraft. Use the following rules to ensure the right amount of separation is supplied.

Do not issue a takeoff until…

• the other aircraft has departed and crossed the runway end or turned to avert any conflict.
• the aircraft that just landed is clear of the runway.

If distance between aircraft can be determined, the other aircraft only needs to be airborne. In this case, a takeoff clearance may be issued if the following separation exist:

• When only Category I aircraft are involved− 3,000 feet.
• When a Category I aircraft is preceded by a Category II aircraft – 3,000 feet.
• When either the succeeding or both aircraft are Category II aircraft – 4,500 feet.
• When either is a Category III aircraft – 6,000 feet.
• When the succeeding aircraft is a helicopter, visual separation may be applied in lieu of using distance minima.

Wake Turbulence Application
Do not issue a clearance that implies or indicates approval of rolling takeoffs by super or heavy aircraft. Super and heavy aircraft shall be afforded the opportunity to perform a static takeoff

Do not instruct small aircraft to line up and wait on the same runway behind a departing super or heavy aircraft

Separate aircraft taking off from the same runway or a parallel runway separated by less than 2,500 or if their flight paths will cross using the following standards:

• Any behind super – 3 minutes.
• Any behind heavy – 2 minutes.
• Small behind B757 – 2 minutes.

Takeoff Clearance

Issue a takeoff clearance by stating the runway number followed by the takeoff clearance.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L, cleared for takeoff.

When aircraft is taking off from an intersection, state the runway number and the intersection followed by the takeoff clearance.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 17 at K5, cleared for takeoff.

If an aircraft reports ready for takeoff full length and another aircraft reports ready for takeoff holding short of the same runway at an intersection, state “full length” in the takeoff clearance.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L full length, cleared for takeoff.

Ensure that aircraft have cross all runways along their route prior to issuing a takeoff clearance for the departure runway. If the airport layout does not permit an aircraft to completely cross a runway and hold short of the departure runway, state the runway to be crossed in the takeoff clearance.

Example:
DAL1465, cross runway 35, runway 32, cleared for takeoff.

Do not use the term full length when runway length for departure has been temporarily shortened. On permanently shortened runways, do not use the term full length” until the Chart Supplement U.S. is updated to include the changes. Whenever a runway length has been temporarily or permanently shortened, state the word “shortened” immediately following the runway number as part of the takeoff clearance. The addition of “shortened” must be included in the takeoff clearance for the duration of the construction project when the runway is temporarily shortened. The addition of “shortened” must be included in the takeoff clearance until the Chart Supplement U.S. is updated to include the change(s) when the runway is permanently shortened.

Example:
DAL1465, runway 16L shortened, cleared for takeoff.
DAL1465, runway 16L at H9, intersection departure shortened, cleared for takeoff.

Initial Heading
Assign an initial heading to all departures to be vectored after takeoff. If the aircraft is flying a vectored SID that indicates a heading to fly on departure and the heading is not altered, this is not required. If vectoring an aircraft off a SID, with published crossing restrictions, provide an altitude to maintain in addition to the heading.

Example:
DAL1465, fly runway heading. Runway 16L, cleared for takeoff.
DAL1465, fly heading 260, maintain 10,000. Runway 16L, cleared for takeoff.

Provide the initial point on all departures on an RNAV SID, when conducting simultaneous parallel runway departure operations.

Example:
DAL1465, RNAV to HOPTO. Runway 16L, cleared for takeoff.

Cancellation of Takeoff Clearance

If a previously issued takeoff clearance must be canceled, state “cancel takeoff clearance” and provide a reason when time permits. Unless for safety, do not cancel takeoff clearances for aircraft already rolling.

Example:
DAL1465, cancel takeoff clearance, C172 crossing runway 16L.