Airport Signage for Pilots

Importance of Airport Signage

• Assists pilots in navigating unfamiliar airports
• Enhances safety by identifying crucial intersections and crossing runways
• Prevents traffic conflicts similar to roadway signs and traffic lights

Types of Airport Signs

There are six main types of airport signs:

1. Mandatory Instruction Signs

   • Appearance: Red background with white text
   • Purpose: Identifies entrances to runways or critical areas, or prohibits aircraft entry
   • Examples:
     • Runway holding position signs: Located at runway beginnings; runway numbers indicate directions
     • ILS critical area signs: Display "ILS" to mark the area
     • Prohibited entry signs: Used for one-way taxiways or vehicle roads

2. Location Signs

   • Appearance: Black background with yellow text and border
   • Purpose: Identifies the current taxiway or runway

3. Direction Signs

   • Appearance: Yellow background with black text and an arrow
   • Purpose: Indicates the names of intersecting taxiways
   • Example: On taxiway Alpha, Taxiway Echo is 90° left/right, Foxtrot 45° left, and Tango 45° right

4. Destination Signs

   • Appearance: Similar to direction signs
   • Purpose: Guides pilots to specific locations (FBOs, terminals, customs, fueling areas)

5. Information Signs

   • Appearance: Black text on yellow background
   • Purpose: Provides information (e.g., radio frequencies, noise abatement procedures)

6. Runway Distance Remaining Signs

   • Appearance: White text on black background
   • Purpose: Indicates runway length remaining in thousands of feet
   • Example: A sign with "3" indicates 3,000 feet remaining