diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 08d2afc3c..e71f98787 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ of current runtime behavior, see [`docs/CURRENT-STATE.md`](docs/CURRENT-STATE.md
   browser harness renderer portability fixes contributed by Tom-Neverwinter.
   macOS retains Metal; other platforms default to SwiftShader. Cockpit renderer
   assertions and evidence labels follow the actual selected mode. Floor-hold
-  keeps its mesh and terrain assertions; software runs are not real-GPU evidence.
+  explicitly selects its measured 2D billboard mode and keeps its mesh and terrain assertions; software runs are not real-GPU evidence.
   First-run QA now checks the existing attribution Escape-close/focus-return
   behavior while preserving the launcher-underneath regression checks.
 
diff --git a/TESTING.md b/TESTING.md
index 95eddb50c..fb9ca960a 100644
--- a/TESTING.md
+++ b/TESTING.md
@@ -225,6 +225,8 @@ While recording, call out anything in these areas — this is the feedback I mos
 The first-run, view-target prewarm, cockpit-plates and floor-hold harnesses
 select Metal on macOS and SwiftShader on other platforms. Cockpit-plates also
 accepts `--swiftshader` on macOS; floor-hold retains `--angle=<backend>`.
+Floor-hold explicitly selects 2D aircraft mode because it measures billboard
+positions; the tracking suite covers the 3D handoff.
 Software runs validate their assertions but do not establish real-GPU visual
 correctness. Floor-hold retains both mesh and DEM checks: an unavailable mesh
 oracle fails the run even when the DEM check passes. Record the backend with
diff --git a/scripts/qa-floor-hold.mjs b/scripts/qa-floor-hold.mjs
index 00eac1807..82bdf6baa 100644
--- a/scripts/qa-floor-hold.mjs
+++ b/scripts/qa-floor-hold.mjs
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ await page.goto(APP_URL, { waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded', timeout: 120000 });
 await page.waitForFunction(() => window.__godsEyeView?.viewer && window.__godsEyeView?.dataManager,
   { timeout: 150000 });
 await sleep(12000); // let the boot fly-to settle before pinning
+await page.evaluate(() => {
+  document.querySelector('#first-run-launcher:not([hidden]) [data-first-run-choice="explore"]')?.click();
+});
+await sleep(600); // let the launcher dismissal finish before taking evidence
 
 await page.evaluate((site) => { window.__SITE = site; }, SITE);
 const pin = () => page.evaluate(() => {
@@ -125,7 +129,16 @@ const pin = () => page.evaluate(() => {
   v.camera.moveEnd.raiseEvent();
 });
 await pin();
-await page.evaluate(async () => { await window.__godsEyeView.dataManager.toggle('flights'); });
+const billboardMode = await page.evaluate(async () => {
+  const manager = window.__godsEyeView.dataManager;
+  const flights = manager.layers.get('flights').module;
+  // This harness measures billboard positions. A ready 3D model deliberately
+  // hides its billboard; that handoff is covered by track-regression instead.
+  flights.setParams({ models3d: false });
+  await manager.toggle('flights');
+  return flights.getParams().models3d === false;
+});
+record('the billboard floor test is explicitly in 2D aircraft mode', billboardMode);
 
 /** Reads the contact's rendered height and the rendered mesh beneath it. */
 const measure = () => page.evaluate(async (icao) => {