+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+
| ![](me                                        | #### Advisory        |
| dia/image1.wmf){width="0.38472222222222224in" |                      |
| height="0.3645833333333333in"}                | **Circular**         |
|                                               |                      |
| **U.S. Department**                           |                      |
|                                               |                      |
| **of Transportation**                         |                      |
|                                               |                      |
| Federal Aviation                              |                      |
|                                               |                      |
| Administration                                |                      |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------------------+

+--------------------------------+-----------------+------------------+
| **Subject:** PAINTING,         | **Date:**       | **AC No:** AC    |
| MARKING, AND LIGHTING OF       | August 31, 2007 | 150/5210-5C      |
| VEHICLES USED ON AN AIRPORT    |                 |                  |
|                                | **Initiated     | **Change:**      |
|                                | by:** AAS-100   |                  |
+--------------------------------+-----------------+------------------+

1.  **PURPOSE.** This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance,
    specifications, and standards for painting, marking, and lighting of
    vehicles operating in the airport air operations area (AOA). The
    approved lights, colors, and markings herein assure the conspicuity
    of vehicles operating in the AOA from both the ground and the air.

2.  **CANCELLATION.** AC 150/5210-5B, *Painting, Marking, and Lighting
    of Vehicles Used on an Airport*, dated July 11, 1986, is cancelled.

3.  **APPLICATION.** The FAA recommends the guidelines and standards in
    this AC for vehicles operating in the airport AOA. In general, this
    AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. However,
    use of these guidelines is mandatory for vehicles funded under
    Federal grant assistance programs. Mandatory terms such as \"shall\"
    or \"must\" used herein apply only to those who purchase vehicles
    using Airport Improvement Program (AIP) or Passenger Facility Charge
    Program (PFC) funds. Airport vehicles that do not meet this standard
    may be used until the vehicle is repainted or replaced.

4.  **PRINCIPAL CHANGES.**

    a.  The following reference has been deleted:

        1.  ANSI Z535.1. ANSI Z535.1 duplicates reference in
            KKK-A-1822E, *Federal Specification for the Star-of-Life
            Ambulance*.

    b.  The following references have been added:

        1.  AC 150/5345-43, *Specification for Obstruction Lighting
            Equipment*.

        2.  ASTM D 5531-05, *Standard Guide for the Preparation,
            Maintenance, and Distribution of Physical Product Standards
            for Color and Geometric Appearance of Coatings.*

        3.  ASTM D 1164-02, *Standard Practice for Obtaining
            Spectrometric Data for Object Color Evaluation*.

        4.  SAE J578 Revised JUL2002, *Color Specification* in Appendix
            B.

        5.  FAA Engineering Brief #67, *Light Sources Other Than
            Incandescent or Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting
            Fixtures.* The engineering brief contains the most current
            Light Emitting Diode (LED) FAA information.

    c.  Updated test methods in Appendix A.

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5.  **METRIC UNITS.** To promote an orderly transition to metric units,
    this AC includes both English and metric dimensions. The metric
    conversions may not be exact equivalents, and until there is an
    official changeover to the metric system, the English dimensions
    will govern.

6.  **COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS** for improvements to this AC should be
    sent to:

> Manager, Airport Engineering Division
>
> Federal Aviation Administration
>
> ATTN: AAS-100
>
> 800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
>
> Washington, DC 20591

7.  **COPIES OF THIS AC.** The Office of Airport Safety and Standards is
    in the process of making ACs available to the public through the
    Internet. These ACs may be found through the FAA home page
    (www.faa.gov). A printed copy of this AC and other ACs can be
    ordered from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Subsequent
    Distribution Office, Ardmore East Business Center, 3341 Q 75th
    Avenue, Landover, MD 20785.

![](media/image2.png){width="2.3680555555555554in"
height="0.5493055555555556in"}

DAVID L. BENNETT

Director of Airport Safety and Standards

**PAINTING, MARKING, AND LIGHTING OF VEHICLES USED ON AN AIRPORT**

1.  **SOURCES OF APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS.**

    a.  American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI), 25 West 43rd
        St. 4^th^ Floor, New York, NY 10036. Website:
        [www.ansi.org](http://www.ansi.org/)

    b.  American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM), ASTM
        International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West
        Conshocken, PA 19428-2959. Website: [www.astm.org]{.underline}

    c.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
        Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-7471. Web site
        [www.nfpa.org](http://www.nfpa.org/)

    d.  The U. S. General Services Administration (GSA), Centralized
        Mailing List Services, 501 West Felix Street, Whse 9, South End
        P.O. Box 6477, Fort Worth, Texas 76115-6477. Website:
        [www.gsa.gov](http://www.gsa.gov/)

    e.  The Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
        Office, 732 North Capitol St. NW, Washington, DC 20401.

    f.  Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
        Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. Website:
        [[www.sae.org](http://www.sae.org/)]{.underline}

    g.  FAA Advisory Circulars: U.S. Department of Transportation,
        Subsequent Distribution Office, Ardmore East Business Center,
        3341 Q 75^th^ Ave., Landover, MD 20785. Website:
        [www.faa.gov](http://www.faa.gov/)

    h.  FAA Engineering Briefs: [www.faa.gov](http://www.faa.gov/)

2.  **DEFINITIONS.** The following definitions apply in this AC:

    a.  **Vehicle** - All conveyances, except aircraft, used on the
        ground to transport persons, cargo, equipment or those required
        to perform maintenance, construction, service, and security
        duties.

    b.  **Air Operations Area (AOA)** - The portion of airport which
        encompasses the landing, take off, taxiing and parking areas for
        aircraft.

    c.  **Airport Operations Vehicles** - Vehicles routinely used by
        airport operations personnel for airport inspection and duties
        associated with airfield operations (such as airfield condition
        reporting, and Incident Command) on the AOA and Movement Area.

    d.  **Airport Security Vehicles -** Vehicles that are authorized in
        the AOA for security purposes, as needed (e.g. police cars).

    e.  **Airfield Service Vehicles** **-** Vehicles that are routinely
        used in the AOA for airfield service, maintenance, or
        construction (e.g. snow blowers, snowplows, maintenance trucks,
        and tractors).

    f.  **Aircraft Support Vehicles** **-** Vehicles that are routinely
        used in the AOA to support aircraft operations (e.g. aircraft
        pushback tractors, baggage/cargo tractors or trucks, air
        conditioning and aviation fuel trucks). These vehicles are
        typically owned by airlines, vendors or contractors and are not
        eligible for Federal funding.

    g.  **Low Visibility -** Prevailing visibility is less than one mile
        (1600 meters) and/or the runway visual range (RVR) is 6,000 feet
        (1830 meters) or less.

    h.  **Movement Area** **-** The runways, taxiways, and other areas
        of an airport/heliport which are used for taxiing/hover taxiing,
        air taxiing, takeoff, and landing of aircraft, exclusive of
        loading ramps and parking areas. At those airports/heliports
        with an airport traffic control tower (ATCT), specific approval
        for entry onto the movement area must be obtained from air
        traffic control (ATC).

    i.  **Other Vehicles** **-** Vehicles that are not routinely
        authorized in the AOA (i.e. construction vehicles). These
        vehicles are typically owned by airlines, vendors or contractors
        and are not eligible for Federal funding.

**NOTE:** "*Other vehicles" are exclusive of ambulances, aircraft rescue
and firefighting vehicles, and airport security vehicles.*

j.  **Peak Intensity --** Peak intensity, for purposes of this document,
    means the maximum magnitude of luminescence as measured in candela.

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3.  **VEHICLE PAINTING.**

**NOTE:** *Airport vehicle paint and markings are a safety of flight
requirement. The approved colors/markings herein assure conspicuity of
vehicles operating in the AOA from both the ground and air.*

a.  **Ambulances.** Ambulance vehicles are painted per Federal
    Specification KKK-A-1822E, *Federal Specification for the
    Star-of-Life* *Ambulance*. Ambulances are not considered vehicles
    routinely operating on the AOA.

b.  **Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicles.**
    Yellowish-green is the vehicle color standard. Color specifications
    are per Appendix A.

**NOTE:** *A yellowish-green color provides optimum visibility during
all light levels encountered during a 24-hour day and under variations
of light that result from weather and seasonal changes.*

c.  **Airfield Service Vehicles.** Chrome yellow is the vehicle color
    standard. Color specifications are per Appendix A. When vehicles are
    equipped with bumper bars 8 inches (205mm) or more in depth, the
    bars must be painted in alternate stripes 4 inches (100mm) in width
    of chrome yellow and black inclined 45° to the vertical.

d.  **Airport Operations Vehicles**. Airport Operations Vehicles may be
    painted in colors designated by the airport operator. The
    characteristics must be coordinated with the respective Airport
    Traffic Control Tower and identified in the tower letter of
    agreement.

e.  **Aircraft Support Vehicles and Other Vehicles.** Any color or
    combination of colors other than yellowish-green or chrome yellow.
    The bumper bar markings in paragraph 3c are recommended.

f.  **Airport Security Vehicles.** Comply with specific state or local
    requirements.

g.  **Other Vehicles.** Any color or combination of colors other than
    solid black or white.

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4.  **VEHICLE MARKING.**

    a.  **Ambulances.** Ambulances are marked per Federal Specification
        KKK-A-1822E.

    b.  **ARFF, Airfield Service, and Aircraft Support Vehicles.**

        1.  Airport operator owned vehicles must display an
            identification number on each side and on the roof (the hood
            should be used if the vehicle has no roof).

        2.  Side numbers will be a minimum of 16 inches (405mm) in
            height and conspicuously located.

        3.  Roof numbers will be a minimum of 24 inches (610mm) in
            height and affixed with their bases toward the front of the
            vehicle. The identification numbers should provide sharp
            color contrast to the vehicle color.

        4.  In addition to the identification numbers, airport operator
            owned vehicles must display either the name of the airport
            and/or the airport insignia.

        5.  To further improve night-time recognition of vehicles, a
            minimum 8 inch (205mm) wide horizontal band of high gloss
            white paint or white reflective tape (Retroreflective,
            ASTM-D 4956-05, *Standard Specification for Retroreflective
            Sheeting for Traffic Control*, Type III & above) must be
            used around the vehicle\'s surface. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show
            suggested locations for the horizontal reflective band.

> ![](media/image3.wmf){width="3.4069444444444446in"
> height="1.492361111111111in"}

Figure 1: Suggested location for the horizontal reflective band, Option
1

> ![](media/image4.wmf){width="3.4993055555555554in"
> height="1.4756944444444444in"}

Figure 2: Suggested location for the horizontal reflective band, Option
2

> ![](media/image5.wmf){width="4.617361111111111in"
> height="1.8569444444444445in"}

Figure 3: Suggested location for the horizontal reflective band, Option
3

c.  **Airport Operations Vehicles.** Airport Operations Vehicles may be
    marked as designated by the airport operator. Marking must be
    coordinated with the respective Airport Traffic Control Tower and
    identified in the tower letter of agreement.

d.  **Other Vehicles.**

    1.  Vehicles other than those that routinely traverse any portion of
        the AOA under ATC, which are not escorted by a vehicle in
        constant two-way radio communication with ATC and properly
        equipped and authorized to operate in the AOA, must be provided
        with a flag on a staff attached to the vehicle so that the flag
        will be readily visible.

    2.  At airports without air traffic control facilities, flags must
        be provided on all vehicles.

    3.  The flag must be at least a 3-foot by 3-foot (0.91 meter by 0.91
        meter) square having a checkered pattern of international orange
        and white squares at least 1 foot (305mm) on each side (see
        Appendix A for the fabric color specification).

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5.  **VEHICLE LIGHTING.**

    a.  The standard for identification lighting for vehicles routinely
        operating in the AOA Movement Area is a yellow flashing light
        that is mounted on the uppermost part of the vehicle structure.
        A steady yellow light designates vehicles limited to
        non-movement areas.

    b.  The light must be visible from any direction, day and night,
        including from the air.

    c.  Color specifications for vehicle identification lights are per
        Appendix B.

    d.  Vehicles not routinely operating on the AOA which are not
        escorted by a properly lighted vehicle must be identified during
        periods of low visibility by a light.

    e.  Characteristics of Flashing Lights:

        1.  Ambulance lights must meet the Federal Specification
            KKK-A-1822E, and ARFF vehicles must meet NFPA, state and
            local requirements.

        2.  Lights must have peak intensity within the range of 40 to
            400 candelas (effective) from 0^o^ (horizontal) up to 10^o^
            above the horizontal and for 360^o^ horizontally. The upper
            limit of 400 candelas (effective) is necessary to avoid
            damage to night vision.

        3.  From 10^o^ to 15^o^ above the horizontal plane, the light
            output must be 1/10^th^ of peak intensity or between 4 and
            40 candelas (effective).

        4.  Lights must flash at 75 ± 15 flashes per minute.

**NOTES:**

*1. The effective intensity of a flashing light is equal to the
intensity of a steady-burning (fixed) light of the same color which
produces the same visual range under identical conditions of
observation.*

*2. If xenon flashtubes are used, refer to AC 150/5345-43, Specification
for Obstruction Lighting Equipment, for guidance concerning methods of
calculating effective intensity.*

f.  Light Colors.

    1.  Ambulances. Per Federal Specification KKK-A-1822E.

    2.  ARFF Vehicles. Red or a combination of red-and-white flashing
        lights per the chromaticity requirements in Appendix B.

    3.  Airport Operations, Airfield Service Vehicles, Aircraft Support
        Vehicles and Other Vehicles. Yellow flashing light per the
        chromaticity requirements in Appendix B.

    4.  Airport Security Vehicles. Signal blue or a combination of red
        and signal blue flashing light per the chromaticity requirements
        in Appendix B.

**Intentionally left blank.**

APPENDIX A. COLOR SPECIFICATIONS

1.  **SPECIFICATIONS.** Colors specified in Table A-1 are per the
    Commission Internationale de l\'Eclairage (CIE) L\*a\*b\* system of
    color specification. For a description of this system, refer to
    American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) D 2244, *Standard
    Practice for Calculation of Color Tolerances and Color Differences
    from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates.*

    Table A-1. Specification for vehicle and flag colors

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 20%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="2"><p>Standard Illuminant D65</p>
<p><strong>Usage</strong></p></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>Chrome Yellow</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>Yellowish-Green</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>International Orange</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="3"><strong>Vehicle Paint</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>Vehicle Paint</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>Flag Fabric</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>CIELAB DATA</strong></td>
<td><strong>L*</strong></td>
<td><strong>a*</strong></td>
<td><strong>b*</strong></td>
<td><strong>L*</strong></td>
<td><strong>a*</strong></td>
<td><strong>b*</strong></td>
<td><strong>L*</strong></td>
<td><strong>a*</strong></td>
<td><strong>b*</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Centroid Color</strong></td>
<td>72.8</td>
<td>24.4</td>
<td>77.6</td>
<td>78.3</td>
<td>-10.2</td>
<td>80.4</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>53.5</td>
<td>52.0</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>Point 1</strong></td>
<td>72.8</td>
<td>31.8</td>
<td>82.9</td>
<td>78.3</td>
<td>-9.0</td>
<td>92.0</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>61.4</td>
<td>47.8</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Point 2</strong></td>
<td>72.8</td>
<td>25.5</td>
<td>66.7</td>
<td>78.3</td>
<td>-7.6</td>
<td>73.2</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>53.9</td>
<td>41.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>Point 3</strong></td>
<td>72.8</td>
<td>18.0</td>
<td>69.3</td>
<td>78.3</td>
<td>-11.0</td>
<td>69.3</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>53.5</td>
<td>53.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Point 4</strong></td>
<td>72.8</td>
<td>22.4</td>
<td>86.0</td>
<td>78.3</td>
<td>-13.4</td>
<td>86.2</td>
<td>45.0</td>
<td>49.7</td>
<td>60.4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>Light Limit</strong></td>
<td>77.8</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>83.3</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>49.9</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Dark Limit</strong></td>
<td>67.8</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>73.3</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>41.6</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>Max ΔE</strong></td>
<td colspan="3">11.1</td>
<td colspan="3">11.7</td>
<td colspan="3">10.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

2.  **COLOR TESTS.** Acceptable colors are those that meet the gloss
    rating test and either a visual or an instrumental color test as
    follows:

**NOTE:** *Flag fabric colors must meet either the instrumental tests in
Table A-1 or the visual method described in paragraph A-2b(1).*

a.  **Gloss Rating Test.** This test is performed per ASTM D 523,
    *Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss,* on a paint sample of the
    color to be applied on the vehicle. An acceptable color sample is
    high gloss with a minimum gloss rating of 70 units, for 60°
    geometry.

b.  **Color Test Methods:**

    1.  **Visual.** Prepare a master specimen of the color (per Table
        A-1) and gloss (per paragraph A-2a). This specimen will be the
        master color and be used as the basis of comparison per ASTM D
        5531-05, *Standard Guide for the Preparation, Maintenance, and
        Distribution of Physical Product Standards for Color and
        Geometric Appearance of Coatings.* To verify the paint color of
        a vehicle visually, vehicle paint samples must be prepared and
        viewed per ASTM D 1729-96 (Reapproved 2003), *Standard Practice
        for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of
        Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials.*

    2.  **Instrumental.** This test requires a test specimen sample and
        reference to Table A‑1. All test specimen measurements should be
        conducted per ASTM E 1164-02 *Standard Practice for Obtaining
        Spectrometric Data for Object-Color Evaluation.* Test specimen
        tolerances must be per Table A‑1 per the following:

        a.  Plot the centroid color using the a\* and b\* CIELAB
            coordinate data from Table A‑1 on graph paper or by entry of
            the coordinate data into a computer program. Plot and
            connect points 1 thru 4 from the same table to form a
            quadrilateral; noting that the centroid color is within this
            figure. See Figure A-1 for plots of all three color
            specifications in Table A‑1.

        b.  Perform color sample measurements per ASTM E 1164-02. If
            necessary, convert measurements to CIELAB L\*, a\*, and b\*
            color space. See ASTM E 308-01, *Standard Practice for
            Computing the Colors of Objects by Using the CIE System* for
            color space conversion formulae.

        c.  An acceptable color is one that meets:

            i.  the chromaticity requirements of the color samples a\*
                and b\* CIELAB coordinate data by falling within the
                quadrilateral;

            ii. the L\* data lightness requirement by falling within the
                range defined by the light and dark data of Table A-1;

            iii. the total color difference (ΔE) by not exceeding the
                 limits in Table A-1 when the CIELAB data are computed
                 in the following formula:

> $$\Delta E = ({\Delta L}^{2} + {\Delta a}^{2} + {\Delta b}^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}$$
>
> where ΔL\*, Δa\*, and Δb\* values are the differences between those
> values for the centroid color in Table A-1 and those of the color
> sample measurements.

![](media/image6.wmf)

Figure A-1. Plot of selected color paint specifications

**Intentionally left blank.**

APPENDIX B. COLOR SPECIFICATIONS FOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION LIGHTS

1.  **SPECIFICATIONS.** The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
    Standard J578 Revised JUL2002, *Color Specification*, defines the
    acceptable color boundary limits and measurement of emitted red,
    white, signal blue, and yellow light for vehicle lights. This
    standard applies to the overall emitted color of light from the
    device in lieu of emitted light from any small area of the lens. The
    color of emitted light must fall within the color boundaries per SAE
    J578 Revised JUL2002 (color boundary equations are in the standard)
    using color measurement methods detailed in the standard. See FAA
    Engineering Brief #67, *Light Sources Other Than Incandescent or
    Xenon for Airport and Obstruction Lighting Fixtures*, for additional
    information and Alternative Lighting Devices.

**Intentionally left blank.**