# Presentation: 204528

## Understanding Airport Signs, Markings and Lighting (Part 1) 

**Understanding Airport Signs, Markings and Lighting (Part 1) **
**NOTE:  For additional information on Airport Marking Aids and Signs, refer to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Chapter 2, Section 3**

**Section 5**

## Non-precision Instrument Runway and Visual Runway Markings

**Non-precision Instrument Runway and Visual Runway Markings**

**Runway Aiming Point Markings are located on each side of the runway centerline and are approximately 1000 feet from the landing threshold.**

- *Aiming point markings are only required
-  at airports with 4000 feet or more
-  of runway and with jet operations

## Precision Instrument Runway Markings

**Precision Instrument Runway Markings**

**Touchdown zone markings are arranged in pairs about the centerline in 500 foot increments**.

**Designations for PARALLEL runways will use left (L), center (C), or right (R) as applicable.          **
**For TWO PARALLEL runways - “L” & “R”.              For THREE PARALLELS - “L”, “C” & “R”**** **

**Runway Width       Number of Stripes**
-   **60 feet****	****	****4**
**  ****75 feet****	****	****6**
**  ****100 feet****	****	****8**
**  ****150 feet****	****	****12**
**  ****200 feet****	****	****16**

## Area used for aircraft taxi only. Remember, taxiways are YELLOW & runways are WHITE

**Relocated Threshold with Markings for Taxiway Aligned with Runway**

**Runway construction, runway maintenance or other activities may require a runway threshold to be relocated.  When this occurs, it not only CLOSES a set portion of the approach end, but also SHORTENS the length of the AVAILABLE runway.**

**Area used for aircraft taxi only. Remember, taxiways are ****YELLOW**** & runways are ****WHITE**

**Runway Hold Position Marking**

## Displaced Threshold Markings

**Displaced Threshold Markings**

**A displaced threshold is located at a point on a runway other than the designated beginning of the runway.  Displacement of the threshold REDUCES THE LENGTH OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY FOR LANDINGS.  The portion of runway behind a displaced threshold (marked by white arrows) is available for takeoffs in either direction and landings from the opposite direction.**

**Area available for: **
**Takeoffs in either direction **
**Landing RWY 36 – must land beyond the displaced threshold.  **
**Landing RWY 18 – can use area beyond the displaced threshold for landing rollout.**

**Runway Hold Position Marking**

**RWY 36**

## Markings for Blast Pad and Stopways.

**Markings for Blast Pad and Stopways.**

**Chevron markings are used to show pavement areas aligned with the runway that are NOT useable for takeoff, landing or taxi.  ****Chevrons are yellow****.**

**Runway Hold Position Marking**

## Blast Pad or Stopway and 

**BLAST PAD/STOPWAY**

**TAXIWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**NOTE:  Hold markings could be offset further than normal from runway edge depending on distance of displaced threshold**.

- Blast Pad or Stopway and
- Displaced Threshold Preceding a Runway

**DISPLACED THRESHOLD**

**HOLD MARKING**

## Taxiway and 

**BLAST PAD/STOPWAY**

**TAXIWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**RUNWAY**

**DISPLACED THRESHOLD**

- Taxiway and
- Displaced Threshold Preceding a Runway

**NOTE:  Hold markings could be offset further than normal from runway edge depending on distance of displaced threshold**.

## Location Signs

**Location signs are used to identify either a taxiway or runway on which the aircraft is located.  These signs have a black background with yellow inscription and yellow borders.  ****Remember: ****“BLACK SQUARE - YOU’RE THERE!”**

**Runway location signs are normally used where two runways intersect near the same takeoff point which could cause some confusion.  Cross check compass to ensure you are lined up on correct runway heading.**

**Runway Location Signs**

**Taxiway Location Sign**

**Runway Location Sign**

##  Direction Signs

**Direction signs have a yellow background with a black inscription.  The inscription identifies the designation(s) of the intersecting taxiway(s). Each designation is accompanied by an arrow indicating the direction of the turn.**
**Remember - “YELLOW SIGN, YELLOW ARRAY - POINTS THE WAY!”**

**Identifies taxiway intersections or runway exits you are approaching.**

**Runway exit signs are located on the EXIT side(s) of the runway before the turnoff.**

**Location Signs:  Remember “BLACK SQUARE - YOU’RE THERE!”**

**Direction Signs**

## Direction Signs (con’t)

**Direction Signs (con’t)**

**Location Sign**

**Orientation of signs are from left to right in a clockwise manner. Left turn signs are on the left of the location sign and right turn signs are on the right side of the location sign.**

**Remember: “BLACK SQUARE - YOU’RE THERE!” **
**AND “YELLOW SIGN, YELLOW ARRAY - POINTS THE WAY!”**

## 32    2

**Destination signs have a yellow background with a black inscription indicating a destination on the airport.  These signs will always have an arrow showing the direction of the taxi route to the destination.**

-   32   2

**Destination sign with a common taxi route to two runways.  Think of the “dot” as the word “and”.**

**Two destinations with different taxi routes**.

**Remember: *****  *****“YELLOW SIGN, YELLOW ARRAY - POINTS THE WAY!”**

##  13   18

**Destination Signs (con’t)**

-  13   18

**Destination sign seen taxiing northwest on “A”**

## Destination Signs (con’t)

**Destination Signs (con’t)**

**Destination sign for directions to the parking ramp****.**

**Destination sign for directions to Runways 32L and 35.**

**These signs provide general taxi directions to specific airport destinations.**

**Destination sign for directions to a Military ramp.**

**Remember: *****  *****“YELLOW SIGN, YELLOW ARRAY - POINTS THE WAY!”**

## Runway Distance Remaining Sign

**Runway Distance Remaining Sign**

**Shows the runway distance remaining in 1000’ increments.  May be installed along one or both side(s) of the runway.**

## Surface painted signs usually supplement existing signs or are used where a sign cannot be installed on large pavement areas.

**Surface painted signs usually supplement existing signs or are used where a sign cannot be installed on large pavement areas.**

##  Holding Position Signs

**These signs have a red background with white inscription.  They are considered critical for safety and are used to identify hold positions.  There are four basic types of hold position signs.  They include:**

**Runway Hold **

**ILS Critical Area Hold**

**Runway Approach Area Hold**

**Runway/Runway Hold **

**Each type of hold sign type is explained in detail in the following slides**

## Runway Holding Position Signs

**Towered Airports - HOLD unless otherwise instructed by ATC.**

**Non-Towered Airports or TOWERED AIRPORTS WHEN TOWER IS CLOSED- Proceed when no traffic conflict exists**.

**Location sign located on right side of the hold position sign, usually at wide intersections.**

**Hold sign inscription lists both runway directions when not located at a runway end.**

**Location signs are co-located with and on the out-board side of the hold sign**

**Arrows are used when more than one runway is present.**

## Runway Holding Position Signs (con’t)

**Note:  This sign is located at the holding positions on taxiways that**
**intersect a runway or on runways that intersect other runways.  The **
**runway numbers are arranged to correspond to the respective runway**
** ****threshold.  For example: “20-2” indicates that the threshold for Runway**
** ****20 is to the left and the threshold for Runway 2 is to the right. **

**Runway Holding Position Signs (con’t)**

## 30

**Runway Holding Position Signs (con’t)**

**30**

**12-30**

**Taxiway “C” and Runway 12-30 Intersection**

**Taxiway “E” and beginning of Runway 30**

**E**

**C**

## Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs -  

**Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs -  **
**When runway is used for Land and Hold Short Operations**
**(LAHSO)**

**Towered Airports - HOLD only when instructed by ATC-**
** ****(LAHSO clearance accepted).**

**Non-Towered Airports or **
**TOWERED AIRPORTS WHEN TOWER IS CLOSED-**
**Does not apply.**

## Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs - 

**Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs - **
**When runway is used as a TAXIWAY**

**Towered Airports - HOLD unless otherwise instructed by ATC.**

**Non-Towered Airports or **
**TOWERED AIRPORTS WHEN TOWER IS CLOSED-**
**Proceed when no traffic conflict exists.**

## Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs (con’t)

**Runway/Runway Holding Position Signs (con’t)**

**36-18**

**Landing Traffic**

**Departing Traffic**

**Runway 30 is used for LAHSO**

**36-18**

**30**

## Runway Holding Position Signs & Markings 

**Runway Holding Position Signs & Markings**** **

**Runway 27 is used for LAND AND HOLD SHORT OPERATIONS OR USED AS A TAXIWAY.  Note the hold marking across the runway applies for either of these two cases.**

## 30-APCH

**At some airports it may be necessary to hold aircraft on taxiways located in the approach or departure corridor of the runway so that the taxiing aircraft does not interfere with the operations on that runway.  AIRCRAFT ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD AT THESE LOCATIONS ONLY WHEN INSTRUCTED BY ATC.**

**30****-****APCH**

**Runway Approach area ****HOLD SIGN****.**

**Towered Airports - PROCEED unless otherwise instructed by ATC.  **

**Non-Towered Airports or TOWERED AIRPORTS WHEN TOWER IS CLOSED- Proceed when no traffic conflict exists**.

**NOTE:  Applicable for approaches to Runway 30 or departures from Runway 12**.

**Runway Approach area ****HOLD MARKING****.****  **

## Runway Approach Area Holding Position Sign

**You are given the following taxi instructions by ATC:**
**“****Taxi Runway 18 via Foxtrot.  Hold Short 14L Approach.”**
**1.  At what point on Foxtrot are you expected to stop and hold? **
**2.  Why are you holding on a taxiway?**

- X

- You are here

**Runway Approach Area Holding Position Sign**

**Answer:  You are expected to stop at the 14L-APCH hold sign just north of Taxiway B.  ATC has you holding on Taxiway F because the approach corridor for Runway 14L is active.  See next slide for details.**

**Remember:  TAXIING AIRCRAFT ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD AT THIS POSITION **_**ONLY**_** IF DIRECTED BY ATC**

## Runway Approach Area Holding Position Sign

**Landing Traffic**
**Runway 14L**

**Taxiing Aircraft**
**to Runway 18**

**Chart Annotation**

**End of Section 5 **