Collin Fleck

Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs,

Markings, and Lighting

Objective:
The student will explain the different airport, runway, and taxiway signs, markings, and
lights, the meaning of each, and other related elements.

Elements/ Schedule:
Purpose :01
Runway Incursion Avoidance :10
Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs and Markings :30
Airport, Runway and Taxiway Lighting :30
Common Errors :02
Review :05
Questions :05
Total 1:23

Equipment:
PTS (Flight Instructor; Pg. 52)
PHAK (14-5, 14-16)
AIM (Ch. 2)
Computer with internet access

Instructor Actions:
1. Purpose/Motivation
Airport, runway, and taxiway signs, markings, and lighting are all vital components of
the airport environment that help pilots navigate the airports surface and provide
helpful information during takeoff, approach, and landing. The sheer number of
different signs, markings, and lighting systems may be overwhelming and confusing,
so it is crucial that all pilots can recognize and understand all visual information aids
so that runway incursions can be avoided and safe, efficient ground movement can
take place.
Running a red light or stop sign example.

2. Runway Incursion Avoidance

Runway Incursion:
o Any occurrence at an airport involving the incorrect presence of an
aircraft, vehicle or person on the protected area of a surface designated for
the landing and take-off of aircraft.
Surface Incursion:
o An unauthorized movement within the designated movement area or an
occurrence in that same area associated with the operation of an aircraft
that affects or could affect the safety of flight.

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 Each person in the airplane should be observant of other aircraft and practice
situational awareness at all times during taxi.
Proper communication procedures should be used throughout all ground
operations.
Knowledge of the airport environment including airport, runway, and taxiway
lights, signs and markings should be sufficient for safe navigation of the airport
surface.
o Airport diagram.
o Airport, runway, and taxiway signs, lights, and markings reference sheet.

3. Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs and Markings

Runway Markings:
o White in color.
o *Use precision runway as an example.
Contains all markings.
Other runways may not have all markings depending on their use.
o Runway Designators:
Located at the approach end of runway.
Numbers are determined from approach direction, measured clockwise
from magnetic north.
Letters differentiate between parallel runways; left (L), right (R), and
Center (C).
*Chicago OHare.
o Runway Centerline Marking:
Identifies the center of the runway.
Line of uniformly spaced stripes.
o Runway Aiming Point Marking:
Serves as a visual aiming point for landing aircraft.
Two broad rectangular stripes, one on each side of the runway.
Approximately 1,000 from the landing threshold.
o Runway Touchdown Zone Markers:
Identify the touchdown zone for landing aircraft.
Coded to provide distance information in 500 increments.
Groups of one, two, and three symmetrical rectangular bars on either
side of the runway centerline.
o Runway Side Stripe Markings:
Precision runways only.
Provide visual contrast between the runway and the terrain or
shoulders on each side.
White stripes extending the length of the runway.
o Runway Shoulder Markings:
May be used to supplement runway side stripe markings so that
pavement areas next to the runway that are not to be used by aircraft
can be identified.

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 o Runway Threshold Markings:
Identify the beginning of the runway available for landing.
Corresponding number of stripes to the runway width.
o 4 stripes (2/side) = 60 feet.
o 6 stripes (3/side) = 75 feet.
o 8 stripes (4/side) = 100 feet.
o 12 stripes (6/side) = 150 feet.
o 16 stripes (8/side) = 200 feet.

May be displaced or relocated.

Displaced threshold:
o Threshold located at a point on the pavement other than
the designated beginning of the runway.
o Reduces runway available for landings.
o Portion of runway behind threshold may be used for
takeoffs from either direction, or landings from the
opposite direction.
o Denoted by white arrows along the center line leading
to a series of arrowheads across the width of the
displaced threshold.
Relocated threshold:
o Relocated due to construction, runway maintenance, or
to close a portion of the runway.
o Closed portion of the runway may not be used for
takeoff or landing, but is available for taxi.
o Denoted by yellow arrow heads placed across the width
of the runway just prior to the threshold bar.
Chevrons:
o Large yellow arrowheads used to identify pavement
areas aligned with the runway that are unusable for
takeoff, landing, or taxi.
Taxiway Markings:
o Yellow in color.
o Taxiway Centerlines:
Normal Centerline:
Continuous yellow line; 6-12 in width.
Denotes the center of the taxiing path.
Does not guarantee wingtip clearance.
Enhanced Centerline:
Parallel line of dashes on either side of the normal centerline.
Usually at larger commercial airports.
Enhanced for a maximum of 150 prior to a runway holding
position line.

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 Used to alert pilots that they are approaching a runway holding
position line and should be prepared to stop unless clearance to
onto the runway has been given by ATC.
o Taxiway Edge Markings:
Used to define the edge of a taxiway.
Primarily used when the edge of the taxiway is something other than
the edge of the pavement.
Two types:
Continuous Markings:
o A continuous double yellow line. Each line at least 6
in width, spaced 6 apart.
o Cant cross.
Dashed Markings:
o Dashed double yellow line.
o 15 long with 25 gaps.
o Can cross.
o Taxiway Shoulder Markings:
Shoulders may not be designed to support aircraft.
Used to define which side of the edge line or curve is for use of
aircraft.
o Surface Painted Taxiway Direction Signs:
Yellow background; black writing.
Provided as supplements for taxiway signs or replacements when it is
impossible to provide signs at an intersection.
Painted on one side of the taxiway.
Right side for right turns. Left side for left turns.
o Surface Painted Location Signs:
Black background; yellow writing.
Used to supplement or substitute for actual signs.
Located on the right side of the centerline.
o Geographic Position Markings:
Circle with an outer black ring, inner white ring, and pink circle in the
middle. Black and white rings are reversed on asphalt or dark
pavement. Black lettering or numbering is located within the pink
circle.
Located at points along low visibility taxi routes
Used to aid aircraft in identifying their location along taxi routes
during low-visibility operations.
Positioned left of the taxiway centerline.
Holding Position Markings:
o Runway Holding Position Markings:
Indicate where aircraft are supposed to stop when approaching a
runway.
Consist of four yellow lines, two solid then two dashed.

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 Extend across width of taxiway or runway.
Solid lines are on the side where the aircraft is to hold.
Cannot cross double solid lines unless cleared by ATC.
Located in three places:
1. Taxiways
2. Runways
Used at runway intersections for Land and Hold Short
Operations (LAHSO).
3. Taxiways Located in Runway Approach Areas.
o Holding Position Markings for Instrument Landing System (ILS):
Two solid lines spaced two feet apart, connected by pairs of solid lines
spaced ten feet apart.
Pilots should not allow any part of the aircraft to cross this line unless
cleared by ATC when the ILS critical area is being protected.
o Holding Position Markings for Taxiways/Taxiway Intersections:
A single dashed line extending across the width of the taxiway.
o Surface Painted Holding Position Signs:
Red background with white lettering.
Used to supplement signs at the holding position.
Normally used where the width of the holding position on a taxiway is
greater than 200.
Other Markings:
o Vehicle Roadway Markings:
Used to define a roadway for ground vehicle operations.
Consists of solid white lines on each edge of the pathway, and a
dashed line to separate lanes within the edge markings.
In lieu of solid edge lines, zipper markings may be used to define the
edges of the roadway.
o VOR Receiver Checkpoint Markings:
Ex.: KDTA.
Allow pilots to check the aircrafts navigational instruments with
navigational aid signals.
Consists of a circle with an arrow in the middle pointing to the
azimuth or a compass rose.
Located on the airport apron or taxiway where obstruction to other
aircraft will not occur.
o Non-movement Area Boundary Markings:
Define the area of the airport under air traffic control.
Yellow in color and consists of two lines; one solid and one dashed.
Located on the boundary between the movement and non-movement
area.
Solid line on the non-movement side.
o Marking of permanently closed runways and taxiways:

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 The runway threshold, designation, and touchdown markings are
destroyed, and a yellow cross is painted at each end of the runway and
at 1,000 intervals.
o Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways:
Raised, lighted yellow cross may be placed on the runway in lieu of
the painted markings.
Yellow crosses may be installed at each entrance to the closed taxiway.
o Helicopter Landing Areas:
The letter H within the landing area is aligned with the intended
direction of approach.
Hospital helicopter landing areas are denoted by a white background
and a red H within a red cross.
Closed helicopter landing areas are denoted by a yellow cross over the
letter H.
Airport Signs:
o There are six types of signs installed on an airfield.
1. Mandatory Instruction Signs:
Red background with white lettering.
Uses:
o Denotation of runway entrances or critical areas.
o Denotation of areas where aircraft entrance is prohibited.
Runway Holding Position Sign:
o Located at the holding position on taxiways that intersect
runways.
o Inscription on sign represents the intersecting runway.
o The number on the left corresponds with the approach end
of the runway to the left and vice versa.
o Signs for taxiways that intersect the beginning of the
takeoff runway will only have the number representing that
runway.
o A sign located on a taxiway intersecting an intersection of
two runways will have both numbers for both runways, and
arrows pointing to the approach ends of each runway.
o Signs are located adjacent to the appropriate holding
position markings on both taxiways and runways.
Runway Approach Area Holding Position Signs:
o Holding positions in the approach areas of a runway are
denoted by the corresponding number of the approach
runway, then APCH separated by a dash.
o Ex.: Taxiways beneath approach paths.
ILS Critical Area Holding Position Signs:
o ILS critical areas are denoted with the letters ILS.
No Entry Signs:
o Prohibit aircraft from entering a certain area.

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 o White circle with a horizontal dash in the middle. Red
background.
o Located at the entrances to one-way taxiways, or at the
intersection of vehicle roadways that may be mistaken as a
taxiway.
2. Location Signs:
Used to identify the taxiway or runway on which an aircraft is
located.
Taxiway Location Signs:
o Black background; yellow writing; yellow border.
o The taxiway on which the aircraft is located is represented
with its corresponding letter.
o Can be alone or in conjunction with direction signs or
holding position signs.
Runway Location Signs:
o Black background; yellow writing; yellow border.
o The runway on which the aircraft is located is represented
with its corresponding number.
o Typically located in areas that may cause confusion to
pilots as to which runway they are on.
Runway Boundary Signs:
o Yellow background; black graphic.
o Graphic represents the holding position marking located at
the intersection of a runway and taxiway.
ILS Critical Area Boundary Signs:
o Yellow background; black graphic.
o Graphic represents the ILS critical area boundary marking
located on the taxiway surface.
3. Direction Signs:
Yellow background; black inscription.
Inscription points to or designates the direction of taxiways leading
out of an intersection.
Each designation is accompanied by an arrow, and separated from
other designations by a line or a location sign.
4. Destination Signs:
Yellow background; black inscription.
Always contain an arrow pointing in the direction of the taxi route
to a destination.
Destinations include runways, aprons, terminals, military areas,
civil aviation areas, cargo areas, international areas, and fixed base
operators.
The number of the runway, or abbreviation of another destination
will be used.

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 Multiple destinations with the same taxi route will be separated by
a dot.
5. Information Signs:
Yellow background; black inscription.
Provide information on things such as areas not visible from the
tower, radio frequencies, or other things deemed necessary by the
airport operator.
6. Runway Distance Remaining Signs:
Black background, white number.
The number indicates the distance (in thousands of feet) of runway
remaining after that point.
Located on each side of the runway.

4. Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Lighting (PHAK 14-16)

Approach Light Systems (ALS):
o Assist pilots in the transition from instrument flight to visual flight for
landing.
o Different configurations based on operational requirements for a particular
runway.
o Configuration of signal lights beginning at the landing threshold and
extending 1,400 1,500 for non-precision runways or 2,400 3,000 for
precision runways.
Visual Glide Slope Indicators:
o Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI):
VASI provides obstruction clearance on approach within 10 of the
extended runway centerline.
2-Bar:
Near and far light bars, each consisting of 2 lights.
Both red = Below glide path.
Both white = Above glide path.
Far red, near white = On glide path.
3-Bar:
Three rows of 2 lights.
Provides two glide paths; 3 (lower) and 3 (upper).
o Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI):
Single row of two or four lights.
Provides obstruction clearance within +/- 10.
Normally installed on left side of runway.
Four white lights on right side = High.
Three white lights on right side, one red on left = Slightly high.
Two white, two red = On glide path.
One white on right, three red on left = Slightly low.
Four red = Low.

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 Visible for 5 SM during daytime, and up to 20 SM at night.
o Tri-Color Systems:
Single light unit projecting a three-color approach path.
Amber = Above glide path.
Green = On glide path.
Red = Below glide path.
o Pulsating Systems:
Single light unit projecting a two-color approach path.
Steady white light = On glide path.
Steady red light = Slightly below glide path.
Pulsating white light = Above glide path
Pulsating red light = Below glide path.
Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL):
o Two synchronized flashing lights, one on each corner of the runway
threshold.
Green: Approach.
Red: Departure.
o Uses:
Identification of a runway surrounded by other light sources.
Identification of a runway lacking contrast to the surrounding terrain.
Identification of a runway during conditions of reduced visibility.
Runway Edge Light Systems:
o Used to outline the edges of runways.
o Classified by intensity of light produced.
High Intensity Runway Lights (HIRL).
Medium Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL).
Low Intensity Runway Lights (LIRL).
o White in color; yellow for the last 2,000 or half the runway length (whichever
is less) on instrument runways.
Caution zone for landings.
o Lights near the end of the runway emit red light to departing aircraft and green
light to landing aircraft.
In-Runway Lighting:
o Runway Centerline Lighting System:
Installed on some precision approach runways.
Located along the runway centerline at 50 foot intervals.
White in color until the last 3,000. Alternating red and white for the
next 2,000, then red for the last 1,000.
o Touchdown Zone Lights:
Installed on some precision approach runways.
Two rows of light bars; one on each side of the runway.
White lights that start 100 beyond the landing threshold and extend to
3.000 beyond the threshold or to the center of the runway.

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 o Taxiway Centerline Lead-off Lights:
Provide visual guidance to aircraft exiting the runway.
Alternate green and yellow lights.
o Taxiway Centerline Lead-on Lights:
Provide visual guidance to aircraft entering the runway.
Alternate green and yellow lights.
o Land and Hold Short Lights:
Used to identify the land and hold short points on certain runways.
A row of pulsating white lights across the runway.
Control of Lighting Systems:
o Approach light systems and runway lighting are controlled by the control
tower, FSS, or airport operator.
o Pilots may request that certain lights be turned on, or set to a certain intensity.
Pilot Controlled Lighting:
o Pilots can control some airport lighting during flight by radio.
o Often at airports with no control tower or specified hours of operation.
o Select specified frequency and click the microphone button.
7 times within 5 seconds = Highest available intensity.
5 times within 5 seconds = Medium or lower intensity.
3 times within 5 seconds = Lowest available intensity.
Airport/Heliport Beacons:
o Colors and meanings:
White and green = Lighted land airport.
White and yellow = Lighted water airport.
Green, yellow, and white = Lighted heliport.
Two white flashes and one green flash = Military airport.
o Operated in Class B, C, D, and E airports during daylight hours if visibility is
less than three miles and/or ceiling is below 1,000 (IFR conditions).
Pilots should not rely solely on beacons to indicate whether conditions
are IFR or VFR.
Taxiway Lights:
o Taxiway Edge Lights:
Used to outline the edges of taxiways during darkness or conditions of
reduced visibility.
Blue in color.
o Taxiway Centerline Lights:
Located along taxiway centerlines.
Green in color.
o Clearance Bar Lights:
Installed along holding positions on taxiways.
Three in-pavement steady yellow lights.
o Runway Guard Lights:
Installed at taxiway/runway intersections.

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 Either a pair of elevated flashing yellow lights on either side of the
taxiway, or a row of in-pavement lights across the taxiway at the
runway holding position marking.
Obstruction Lights:
o Red Obstruction Lights:
Flashing red beacons (20 40 flashes per minute) or steady red lights.
Obstructions are painted aviation orange and white for daytime
identification.
o High Intensity White Obstruction Lights:
Flash high intensity white lights during the daytime.
o Dual Lighting:
A combination of red obstruction lights and high intensity white
obstruction lights.

5. Common Errors
Failure to comply with airport, runway, and taxiway signs and markings.
Failure to comply with airport, runway, and taxiway lighting.
Failure to use proper runway incursion avoidance procedures.

Student Actions:
The student will:
Listen
Take notes
Ask questions
Engage in discussions

Completion Standards:
This lesson is complete when the student exhibits knowledge of airport, runway, and
taxiway signs, markings, and lighting by explaining each element and answering a series of
questions on the subjects to an accuracy of 80%.

Questions:
1. How can a pilot tell if they are below glide path when using a three bar VASI?
2. What colors are runway and taxiway centerlines?
3. What does a white zipper pattern across a taxiway indicate?
4. What does a black sign with a white 2 on it indicate?
5. What are indications that an ILS critical area is in use?
6. If there are 8 runway threshold markings (4 on each side of centerline), what is the width
of the runway?
7. If a runway holding position sign reads 17-35, which direction relative to your position
is runway 17?
8. How many times should a pilot click the microphone button to select medium intensity
lighting inbound to an airport with pilot controlled lighting?
9. How far a way can a PAPI be seen at night?

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 10. You are taxiing and you see two solid and two dashed yellow lines crossing the taxiway.
The two solid lines are closer to you. What does this mean?

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