Essential Guide to Runway Signs

Importance of Understanding Airport Signs

• Critical for safe piloting.
• Missing signs at airports can delay traffic or cause dangerous situations.
• This guide helps in learning what airport signs mean, how to read them, and where to find them.

Types of Airport Signs

There are six main types of airport signs:

1. Mandatory Instruction Signs
2. Location Signs
3. Direction Signs
4. Destination Signs
5. Information Signs
6. Runway Distance Remaining Signs

1. Mandatory Instruction Signs

• Purpose: Mark critical areas (e.g., runways) where aircraft need clearance to enter.
• Characteristics:
  • Color: White text on red background.
  • Shape: Rectangular or square.
  • Location: Taxiway and runway intersections, holding positions.
• Types:
  • Runway Holding Position Signs
  • Runway Approach Area Holding Position Signs
  • ILS Critical Area Holding Position Signs
  • No Entry Signs
• Visuals:
  • Includes runway designations (e.g., 27, 9, 27L, 27R).

Runway Holding Position Signs

• Indicate where to stop before entering or crossing a runway.
• Found at taxiway-runway intersections.
• Accompanying markings: Two solid, two dashed yellow lines.

Runway Approach Area Holding Position Signs

• Location: Near approach areas on taxiways.
• Indicate potential interference areas for landing aircraft.
• Display: Runway designation with "APCH".

ILS Critical Area Holding Position Sign

• Denotes ILS critical areas for signal reliability during low visibility.
• Found near runway thresholds or glide slope transmitters.
• Display: "ILS", sometimes with runway designation.

No Entry Sign

• Found at entrances to restricted areas.
• Ignoring can lead to unsafe situations or penalties.

2. Location Signs

• Purpose: Help pilots navigate taxiways, ramps, and indicate boundaries.
• Characteristics:
  • Color: Yellow text on black background.
  • Location: Along taxiways, ramps, aprons.
  • Content: Alphanumeric code indicating taxiway or area.

Types of Location Signs

• Taxiway Location Signs
• Runway Location Signs
• Runway Boundary Signs
• ILS Critical Area Boundary Signs

3. Direction Signs

• Purpose: Guide pilots at intersections or junctions.
• Characteristics:
  • Color: Black text on yellow background.
  • Location: Along taxiways, ramps, aprons.
  • Content: Arrow with alphanumeric code indicating direction.

4. Destination Signs

• Similar to direction signs but mark the path to specific destinations (e.g., FBO).

5. Information Signs

• Purpose: Provide important information anywhere at the airport.
• Characteristics:
  • Yellow background with black text.

6. Runway Distance Remaining Signs

• Purpose: Inform pilots of the remaining runway for takeoff/landing.
• Characteristics:
  • Color: White text on black background.
  • Content: Number indicating remaining distance in thousands of feet.
  • Location: Alongside runways at regular intervals.

Conclusion

• Understanding airport signs is vital for safety and efficiency.
• Always remain vigilant and use resources such as airport diagrams and ATC instructions.
• Explore additional resources like the "Essential Guide to Airport Markings" for further knowledge enhancement.

Safe flying!