Who should not participate in the Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO) clearance?

• A. Student Pilots
• B. Commercial pilots
• C. Airline captains
• D. Flight instructors

Answer: (A)

LAHSO clearance adds the requirement to land and stop before a hold-short point, which means you must reliably judge landing distance, manage precise airspeed and braking, and be ready to go around if needed. This extra workload and the need for precise performance under varying conditions make it safer for pilots with more flight experience to accept and execute the clearance.

Student pilots are still building the skills for stable approaches, accurate distance estimation, and effective braking, especially in gusty or changing conditions. They may not consistently determine if there is enough runway remaining to stop or handle a go-around if the hold-short decision turns out to be unsafe. For this reason, student pilots should not participate in LAHSO clearances.

Commercial pilots, airline captains, and flight instructors have the necessary experience and training to evaluate whether the runway and weather allow a safe hold-short operation and to perform or reject the clearance as appropriate, making them the appropriate participants.