5.1 Airport Markings, Signs & Lighting

Lesson 5.1 – Airport Markings, Signs & Lighting

Airports use a standardized system of markings, signs, and lights so pilots can operate safely on the ground and in the air. Knowing what these visual aids mean is essential for both the knowledge test and real-world flying.

Reference:

FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), Chapter 14 – Airport Operations

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Chapter 2

Runway Numbers – How They Are Determined

Runway numbers are based on the runway’s magnetic heading.

1. Take the magnetic direction the runway points.

2. Round it to the nearest 10 degrees.

3. Drop the last digit.

Examples:

• 083° magnetic → Runway 8

• 267° magnetic → Runway 27

• 044° magnetic → Runway 4

• 225° magnetic → Runway 23

The two ends of the same runway are always 18 numbers apart (180° opposite):

Runway 9 ↔ Runway 27, Runway 18 ↔ Runway 36, Runway 4 ↔ Runway 22, etc.

Magnetic Variation and Runway Renumbering

Magnetic variation slowly changes over time. When the change becomes large enough that the runway number no longer matches the magnetic heading (usually a difference of 5° or more), the airport will renumber the runway and repaint the numbers. This is why you occasionally see runways change designation (for example, Runway 4/22 becoming Runway 5/23).

Runway Naming Conventions

• Single runway: Identified by its number (e.g., Runway 31).

• Parallel runways: Distinguished by L (Left), C (Center), or R (Right) — for example, Runway 28L and Runway 28R.

• The letter is assigned as seen from the approach direction.

Runway Markings

• Runway Centerline – White dashed line down the center of the runway.

• Runway Threshold Markings – White stripes at the beginning of the runway (piano keys).

• Runway Aiming Point Markers – Two broad white rectangular marks approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold.

• Touchdown Zone Markings – Groups of white stripes on precision runways.

• Runway Side Stripes – Solid white lines marking the edges of the runway.

• Displaced Threshold – White arrows leading to a threshold that has been moved up the runway. Pavement before the threshold may be used for taxi, takeoff, and rollout, but not for landing.

Taxiway Markings

• Taxiway Centerline – Solid yellow line.

• Taxiway Edge Markings – Double solid yellow lines (do not cross) or dashed yellow lines (okay to cross).

• Holding Position Markings – Four yellow lines (two solid, two dashed). The solid lines are on the side where the aircraft must hold. Do not cross without clearance at a towered airport.

Airport Signs

• Mandatory Instruction Signs – Red background with white lettering (runway holding position signs, “NO ENTRY”).

• Location Signs – Black background with yellow lettering (tell you where you are).

• Direction Signs – Yellow background with black lettering (point toward taxiways or runways).

• Destination Signs – Yellow background with black lettering (point to destinations such as FBO, parking, etc.).

• Runway Distance Remaining Signs – Black background with white numbers (thousands of feet remaining).

Airport Lighting

• Runway Edge Lights – White (turn yellow on the last 2,000 feet of some instrument runways).

• Threshold Lights – Green at the beginning of the runway, red at the end.

• Taxiway Edge Lights – Blue.

• Taxiway Centerline Lights – Green (when installed).

• REIL – Pair of synchronized flashing white lights at the threshold.

• PAPI / VASI – Visual approach slope indicators (red over white = on glide path).

• Rotating Beacon – White and green for civilian land airports.

• Pilot Controlled Lighting (PCL) – Keying the microphone turns lights on or changes intensity at many non-towered airports.

Key Points to Remember

• Runway numbers are based on magnetic heading (rounded to the nearest 10°).

• Magnetic variation changes over time and can cause runways to be renumbered.

• White markings = runway; yellow markings = taxiway.

• Red signs with white lettering are mandatory.

• Never cross a holding position marking onto a runway without clearance at a towered airport.

• Blue lights = taxiway; white lights = runway.