Runway Markings
D1Runway markings are white and are used to identify therunway, provide a centerline, an aiming point and a touchdown zone.
D2The runway designator is a whole number representingmagnetic alignment divided by 10. In this case the runway has a magnetic alignment of 100º.
D3The letters “L”, “C”, “R” are used in conjunction with the runway designator to indicate left, center, and right runways when parallel runways are in use.
D4The centerline is a uniformly spaced stripe indicating the center of the runway.
D5The centerline provides alignment guidance for takeoff and landing.
D6The aiming point is indicated by two broad, white stripes located on each side of the centerline 1,000 feet from the landing threshold.
D7Aiming points are placed on runways 4,000 feet or longer used by jet aircraft.
D8The touchdown zone is identified by groups of one, two, or three bars placed at 500-foot increments.
D9The edges of a runway are delineated by continuous white stripes. The side stripe provides a visual contrast between runway and turf.
D10Shoulder markings may be used to supplement side stripes. The shoulder markings identify unusable pavement and are colored yellow.
D11Markings are sometimes painted on the runway to indicate the runway threshold.
D12A runway’s threshold may be relocated for maintenance, construction, or other activities.
D13 The relocation of the threshold is usually indicated by a white stripe, ten feet wide, painted across the runway. Old markings may still be visible.
D14A displaced threshold is indicated by a white bar, ten feet wide, running across the runway.
D15Arrow heads are painted across the runway just prior to the white bar. White arrows along the centerline point to the displaced threshold.
D16This portion of the runway may be used for taxi and takeoff only.
D17Yellow chevrons identify pavement areas that are aligned with the runway which are unusable for taxi, takeoff, and landing.
D18A demarcation bar delineates a displaced threshold from a blast pad, stopway or taxiway. They are painted yellow three feet wide.
D19A closed runway is indicated by yellow crosses painted at the ends of the runway. If the closing is permanent, crosses are also painted every 1,000 feet.
D20In addition, for runways permanently closed, the runway threshold, designation, and touchdown markings are obliterated.
Taxiway Markings
D21 Taxiway markings are yellow and include centerline, edge and shoulder markings, direction signs, location signs and position signs.
D22The centerline is a single continuous yellow line six to twelve inches wide.
Taxiing on the centerline ensures wing-tip clearance.
D23The edge marking defines the edge of the taxiway. It can be a solid or dashed line.
D24A dashed line is used in areas of a joining taxiway or usable paved surface.
D25Taxiways may include shoulders, which are indicated by yellow stripes. Shoulders are not designed to carry weight.
D26Direction signs may be painted on the surface of the taxiway. The signs are painted with a yellow background and a black inscription.
D27Painted direction signs are used when signs are not possible at intersections or to supplement signs.
D28The sign is painted adjacent to the centerline. If it indicates a turn, it is placed on the side the turn is made (left side for left turn, right side for right turn).
D29Surface painted location signs have a black background with a yellow inscription. Location signs supplement location signs that are placed along side the taxiway.
D30Surface painted location signs are located to the right of the centerline.The sign shown identifies the taxiway as being ''Bravo.''
D31Geographic position markings are used alonglow visibility taxi routes and are positioned to the left of the centerline.
D32Geographic markings are painted as a pink circle with outer white and black bands. The bands are reversed if painted on a dark surface.
D33Holding position markings are four yellow lines, two dashed, two solid that are painted across a taxiway or runway.
D34Aircraft are required to hold on the side of the solid lines. No part of the aircraft should extend beyond these lines.
D35Aircraft exiting a runway are not clear of the runway until all parts of the aircraft have crossed the two solid lines.
D36When applied to taxiway intersections, holding position markings are painted as a single-dashed line across the taxiway.
D37Holding position signs are red with white inscription and are located adjacent to the holding point.
D38Sometimes the signs are supplemented by surface painted holding signs located to the left of the taxiway centerline.
Airport Signs
D39Airport signs are grouped into Mandatory Instruction, Location, Direction, Destination, Information, and Runway Remaining.
D40Mandatory instruction signs have a red background and white inscriptionand are located at the entrance to runways and critical areas.
D41An ATC clearance is required for movement beyond these signs.
D42Runway holding signs are locatedon taxiways that intersect runways. The sign shows all intersecting runway designators at the holding point.
D43In approach areas, holding signs keep aircraft clear of the approach and departure area.
D44The sign displays the runway designation followed by a dash and the letters “APCH” for approach.
D45The sign 27-APCH protects the approach end of runway 27 and the departure end of runway 9.
D46An ILS critical area is protected by a sign with the letters “ILS.” The hold is designed to keep aircraft on a taxiway outside the ILS critical area.
D47No entry signs have a white circle with a dash in the center. This sign is used to indicate areas that may be mistaken for aircraft movement areas.
D48No entry signs are usually placed at intersectionswhere vehicle roads and runways, taxiways, or aprons connect.
D49Location signs include taxiway location, runway location, runway boundary and
ILS boundary signs.
D50Taxiway location signs have a black background, yellow border and yellow inscription.
D51The sign identifies the taxiway the aircraft is on and can be combined with a holding position sign.
D52Runway location signs have a black background, yellow border and a yellow number.
D53Runway location signs are intended to supplement compass readings and are installed in areas where two or more intersecting runways could cause confusion.
D54The runway boundary sign has a yellow background and a black graphic that depicts pavement holding position markings.
D55The sign is only visible to pilots exiting the runway. It is designed to aide pilots in determining when clear of the runway.
D56The ILS boundary sign is yellow with a black graphic and is located adjacent to an ILS holding position pavement marking.
D57The sign is only visible to pilots exiting the runway. It is designed to aide pilots in determining when clear of the ILS critical area.
D58Direction signs have a yellow background and black inscription. The signs identify each intersecting taxiway.
D59Inscriptions are located on the side of the sign corresponding to the turn to be made.
D60 Direction signs are normally located on the left side of the pavement. When used as a runway exit sign, it is placed on the side of the exit.
D61Destination signs have a yellow background and black inscription and always have an arrow showing direction.
D62Destinations with a similar route are separated by a dot.
D63Destinations with different routes are separated by vertical black bars.
D64Information signs have yellow backgrounds and black inscription. The content and size is determined by the airport operator.
D65Information signs may include radio frequencies, noise abatement procedures, or other pertinent information.
D66Runway distance remaining signs have a black background and white inscription.
D67The sign indicates feet remaining in thousands of feet and may be installed on both sides of a runway.
Airport Lighting
D68Control towers are equipped with a rotating beacon that emits colored lights.
D69Control towers at civilian airports have a beacon that emits alternate white and green flashes.
D70Daytime operation of the beacon indicates the weather is not Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The visibility is less than 3 statue miles or the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.
D71Control towers at military airports have a beacon that emits two quick, white flashes between green flashes.
D72Lighted heliports are identified by a rotating beacon emitting green, yellow and white flashes.
D73Taxiway edge lights are blue. Taxiway centerline lights are green.
D74Runway edge lights are white.
D75Yellow lights replace the white lights on some runways in the last 2,000 feet, or the last half of the runway, whichever is less.
D76The yellow lights provide a caution zone.
D77Red lights identify the end of the runway as viewed by departing aircraft.
D78The lights emit green on the opposite side to indicate the threshold as viewed by landing aircraft.
D79Approach light systems aide pilots during the transition from an instrument approach to a visual landing.
D80The light system can extend from 1,400 to 3,000 feet into the approach area depending on the configuration used.
D81Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) are a pair of synchronized flashing lights thatidentify the end of the runway.
D82Most airports are equipped with pilot-controlled lighting. When activated by the pilot, the airport lights will remain illuminated for 15 minutes.
D83The system allows pilot control of the airport lights when the tower is closed or when operating at an uncontrolled airport.
D84To operate the system, first key the mike seven times within five seconds using the specified frequency. All the airports lights will illuminate at high intensity.
D85If medium intensity is desired, key the mike five additional times in five seconds.
D86If low intensity is desired, key the mike three times.
ATIS
D87Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is a continuous broadcast of recorded pertinent information at high activity airports.
D88The broadcast delivers essential non-control information that is routine.
D89Included in the broadcast is the latest weather at the airport, active runways, and other essential information.
D90Generally ceilings are not included in the broadcast if above 5,000 ft and visibility is not included if more than 5 statue miles.
Ground Control
D91A clearance to taxi to the active runway clears the pilot to taxi the airplane via taxiways and across intersecting runways, but not onto the active runway.
D92If more than one runway is being used, ground control may give a taxi clearance to with instructions to hold at the intersecting runway.
D93Hold position until ground control clears you to continue taxiing to the active runway.
D94A clearance to “taxi into position and hold” means to taxi onto the runway and prepare for takeoff, but do not takeoff.
D95After landing, contact ground control only when the tower instructs you to do so.
Traffic Patterns
D96Traffic patterns are established to facilitate an orderly flow of arriving and departing aircraft. The standard traffic pattern has five legs with left turns.
D97The downwind leg is in the opposite direction of the landing and is usually 800 feet above the ground.
D98The downwind leg is normally entered at midfield on a 45º angle and at pattern altitude.
D99The base leg provides a transition between the downwind leg and the final approach.
D100The turn onto the base leg is started when the airplane is at a 45º angle to the touchdown point.
D101The final approach leg provides a descending flight path to the touchdown point. Be sure you have received a clearance to land from the control tower!
D102The departure leg, also called upwind leg, is a straight course followed by a 45º turn if departing the airport area.
D103If the intent is to remain in the traffic pattern, a 90º turn is made placing the airplane on the crosswind leg, which provides a transition to the downwind leg.
D104Traffic pattern information at uncontrolled airports is provided by a segmented circle located in an area highly visible to pilots in the air and on the ground.
D105The segmented circle incorporates landing strip indicators, which are legs extending from the segmented circle. Each runway is represented on the circle.
D106Traffic pattern indicators are at right angles to the landing strip indicators and represent the pattern to be flown for that runway.
D107The traffic pattern indicators show the direction of turn from base to final and the direction of turn from upwind to crosswind.
D108For the runways shown, Runways 36 and 22 have a left-hand traffic pattern. All turns are to the left.
D109Runways 18 and 4 have a right-hand traffic pattern. All turns are to the right.
D110In the center of the segmented circle is a wind direction indicator (wind sock or wind tree) or a landing direction indicator – a tetrahedron.
D111If the wind direction indicator is a wind sock, the large end points into the wind.
D112Think of the large end of the wind sock being the nose of the airplane and the direction you should be landing. In this case Runway 36.
D113If the wind direction indicator is a wind tree, the large end with the cross bar points into the wind.
D114Think of the wind tree being an airplaneheading into the wind and the direction you should be landing. In this case Runway 4.
D115A landing direction indicator, a tetrahedron, may be located at the center of the segmented circle.
D116It swivels and points in the direction landings should be made. In this case Runway 22.
D117Remember, if crosses are painted on the runway it means it is closed. For the conditions shown, you will need to land on Runway 18.
VASI
D118The Visual Approach Slope Indicator,or VASI, is a light system designed to aide pilots in acquiring and maintaining the approach glide path during dayand night landings.
D119The standard VASI is a two bar system with each row having two, four or twelve lights. It provides glide path guidance only, runway alignment is not included.
D120In most cases the VASI will place the airplane on a 3º glide path.
D121If both rows display white lights, the airplane is above the desired glide path.
D122If the top row displays red lights and the bottom row displays white lights, the airplane is on the desired glide path.
D123If both rows display red lights, the airplane is below the desired glide path.
D124Airports that handle large aircraft have an additional row of lights to facilitate the pilots’ view from a higher cockpit.
D125In this case, use the bottom two rows to acquire and maintain the desired glide path.
D126A Tri-color VASI is a single light that projects amber, green, and red lights for glide path guidance.
D127When above the glide path, the light will be amber.
D128When on the desired glide path, the light will be green.
D129When below the desired glide path, the light will be red.
D130A third type of VASI is the pulsating VASI, which is a single light projector that emits a steady or pulsating light.
D131When the airplane is above the desired glide path, the projector will emit a pulsating white light.
D132When the airplane is on glide path, the projector will emit a steady white light.
D133When the airplane is below the desired glide path, the projector will emit a pulsating red light.
D134Afourth type of visual approach slope indicator is the Precision Approach Path Indicator, or PAPI. The system uses four lights for glide path guidance.
D135If all four lights are white, the airplane is high.
D136If the first three lights are white and the fourth light is red, the airplane is slightly high.
D137If two lights are white and two lights are red, the airplane is on the desired glide path.
D138If the first light on the left is white and the last three are red, the airplane is slightly low.
D139If all lights are red, the airplaneis below the airplane is low.
D140Federal Aviation Regulations state that approaches served by a VASI must be flown at or above the glide slope until a lower altitude is necessary for landing.