The pilot of FDP had been instructed to taxy to the holding point at taxiway A2 for departure. The Surface Movement Controller then diverted his attention to other traffic. The Aerodrome Controller then noticed that FDP was holding at the intersection of runway 15 and taxiway A3 , partially inside the holding point.
The pilot advised that the aircraft was slightly inside the holding point and asked for approval to conduct engine checks in that position. As there was no immediate traffic, the aircraft was cleared onto the runway. The pilot reported that he did not see the holding point marking until he had passed over it. He added that the marking did not extend across the full width of the taxiway, and felt that this contributed to the incident. In addition, he had not operated into Cairns for more than 2 years, so he was not completely familiar with the aerodrome layout.
The comments by the pilot on the holding point marking were discussed with the local Airservices manager and the airport owner. Both these agencies indicated that there had been other instances of pilot confusion concerning taxiway markings in the same area. It was agreed that Airservices would arrange for a 'Caution' note to be inserted in the En-route Supplement advising pilots to exercise caution when approaching the taxiway A3 holding point. The airport owner was completing arrangements to repaint the holding point marking to extend the full width of the taxiway, and to repaint the holding point and frequency information on the associated gable marker.