Runway Markings Guide
Discover the importance of understanding runway markings, which guide pilots during takeoffs, landings, and taxiing.
Airfield Signage Guide
It’s important to Know your airfield signs and markings! Not being familiar with standard visual aids can be very stressful, especially when visiting a unfamiliar airfield. Let’s take a look at the key points of airfield signage from CAP 637 – Visual Aids Handbook.
The Types of Signs.
There are several types of signs that can be found on an airport. Many of these signs complement and even replicate airport markings. Essentially they fall into Two Categories.
Mandatory Signs
Are RED & WHITE, they consist of:
Runway & Intermediate Taxi-Holding Positions, & No Entry signs.
They identify the holding position, as well as indicate the direction in which the holding instruction applies.
Pilots should not proceed beyond a Mandatory Sign unless directed to do so by ATC
Information Signs
Are YELLOW & BLACK, they consist of:
Location, Direction, & Destination Signs.
They are provided only where there is an operational need to provide additional guidance to pilots manoeuvring on the ground.
These should be used in conjunction with an aerodrome chart.
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Information Signs
Location signs act as essential navigational tools, helping pilots pinpoint their position on the airport grounds. These signs are strategically placed throughout the airport and offer guidance to crucial areas such as taxiways, gates, ramps, cargo zones, and other key locations. By using these signs, pilots can navigate the airport accurately, ensuring safe and efficient aircraft movement.
Destination signs direct pilots and ground personnel to specific points within the airport. They provide information about the direction and distance to important facilities like terminals, maintenance areas, fueling stations, and other critical services. By following these signs, pilots can efficiently reach their intended destinations, improving ground operations and overall airport efficiency.
Location Signs.
Location Signs are used to identify taxiways and sometimes runways, at complicated intersections.
A Location Sign consists of the characters identifying the runway or taxiway in yellow lettering on a black background surrounded by a yellow border.
Taxiways are normally designated by a single letter of
the alphabet, e.g. ‘A’ for taxiway Alpha, ‘B’ for Bravo etc.
Typically, letters are used to name taxiways.
However, there are three letters which are never used such as I, O & X.
Direction & Destination Signs.
Direction signs tell you which taxiway you are crossing at a particular intersection. Located on both taxiways and runways.
Direction and Destination Signs consist of a route or destination label accompanied by an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction, displayed in black characters on a yellow background.
Direction Signs are normally accompanied by a Location Sign and positioned on the left side of a taxiway before an intersection.
Positions of Information Signs
A Location Sign consists of the characters identifying the runway or taxiway in yellow lettering on a black background surrounded by a yellow border.
Where there is a need to identify a specific position on a taxiway,
a Location Sign, displaying the taxiway designator accompanied by an identifying number.
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Mandatory Signs
Mandatory Signs have white characters on a red background and require a specific ATC clearance to a point beyond them before they are passed.
A red runway Marker Board is positioned at the entrance to the runways, it is illuminated at night and provides a warning to aircraft and vehicles that they are approaching a runway.
Intermediate Taxi-Holding Position.
Marks a Holding Position established to protect a priority route. The signs display the taxiway designator accompanied by a number identifying the individual holding position.
No Entry.
Just like a road sign, identifies that No Entry is permitted.
Visual Runway Taxi-holding position.
Denotes the visual Taxi-Holding Position and also the ILS Cat I Holding Position where the Visual and CAT I Holding Positions are co-located.
CAT # Runway Taxi-Holding Position.
Marks the ILS CAT I-II-III Taxi-Holding Position – a CAT II Taxi-Holding Position and a Visual/CAT I Taxi-Holding Position may be established closer to the runway than CAT III where it is necessary to expedite traffic flow.
Positions of Mandatory Signs
Illustration of typical signs associated with various Runway Taxi-holding positions.
on Taxiway ‘A’ leading to the threshold of Runway 27 and on Taxiway ‘D’ leading to an intermediate taxiway entrance to Runway 09-27.
NOTE: The signs at intermediate taxiway entrances as shown at Figure 3.2 (b) and (d) show the runway designation in both directions; a left turn is required to reach the threshold of Runway 09 and a right turn to reach the threshold of Runway 27.
CAP 637 - Visual Aids Handbook
Be sure to read CAP 637 the CAAs Visual Aid Handbook.
Also see our post on Aerodrome Markings.
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