What is the correct phraseology to cancel the takeoff clearance for the succeeding aircraft?

• A. ABORT TAKEOFF CLEARANCE
• B. HOLD TAKEOFF CLEARANCE
• C. TERMINATE TAKEOFF CLEARANCE
• D. CANCEL TAKEOFF CLEARANCE (reason)

Answer: (D)

Cancel takeoff clearance is the exact way to revoke a previously issued takeoff authorization for the next aircraft. It clearly tells the pilot that the clearance to take off is no longer valid and that they should not proceed with the takeoff. If a reason is needed, you can add it after the phrase, typically separated by a comma (for example, cancel takeoff clearance due to weather or runway congestion). The other wordings do not fit standard practice: they imply something different—either halting a takeoff in progress (abort), merely delaying the action (hold), or using nonstandard terminology that controllers don’t use to revoke a takeoff clearance.