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.