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Understanding Airport Signage and Navigation

Sep 25, 2024

Airport Signage and Navigation

Importance of Airport Signage

  • Helps pilots navigate unfamiliar airports.
  • Crucial for safety by identifying intersections and crossing runways.
  • Prevents traffic conflicts similar to roadway stop signs and traffic lights.

Types of Airport Signs

  1. Mandatory Instruction Signs

    • Appearance: Red background with white text.
    • Purpose: Identify entrance to runways or critical areas; areas where aircraft are prohibited.
    • Examples:
      • Runway holding position signs: Indicate where the runway environment begins.
      • Runway numbers: Indicate direction of the beginning of each runway (e.g., 1533).
      • Used in ILS critical areas (sign contains 'ILS').
      • Signs prohibiting entry: Used on one-way taxiways or vehicle roads.
  2. Location Signs

    • Appearance: Black background with yellow text and border.
    • Purpose: Identify taxiway or runway where the aircraft is located.
  3. Direction Signs

    • Appearance: Yellow background with black text and an arrow.
    • Purpose: Inform pilots of intersecting taxiway names.
    • Example: Taxiway Alpha with intersecting Taxiways Echo, Foxtrot, and Tango at specific angles.
  4. Destination Signs

    • Appearance: Similar to direction signs.
    • Purpose: Provide directions to specific locations (e.g., FBOs, terminals, customs, fueling areas).
  5. Information Signs

    • Appearance: Black text on yellow background.
    • Purpose: Provide information on radio frequencies, noise abatement procedures.
  6. Runway Distance Remaining Signs

    • Appearance: White text on black background.
    • Purpose: Indicate distance of runway remaining in thousands of feet (e.g., '3' for 3,000 feet remaining).

Summary

  • Effective airport signage is critical for safe and efficient navigation.
  • Various signs serve different functions, from directing pilots to specific locations to informing them about runway conditions and restrictions.