In LAHSO operations, who has the final authority regarding takeoff, landing, or touch-and-go maneuvers?

In LAHSO (Land and Hold Short Operations), the final authority regarding takeoff, landing, or touch-and-go maneuvers resides with the Pilot in Command (PIC). This is rooted in the fundamental principle of aviation that the PIC is ultimately responsible for the safety of the flight and the decision-making process during operations. The PIC must make situational assessments, particularly in complex scenarios like LAHSO, where ATC provides instructions but the pilot must ensure they can execute them safely.

While Air Traffic Control (ATC) provides clearance and instructions, it is the responsibility of the PIC to ensure that these directives can be followed safely. The PIC assesses all factors such as aircraft performance, weather conditions, and traffic in the area before making decisions about the flight path. Thus, the authority remains with the PIC as they must ensure that the maneuver can be executed without compromising safety.

Other roles such as the co-pilot or flight engineer support the PIC but do not hold the final authority in operational decision-making. The co-pilot assists the PIC and may take over flying duties or support decision-making, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the PIC. The flight engineer is primarily involved in monitoring and managing aircraft systems but does not make final decisions regarding flight operations