Chapter 14
Airport Operations
Holding Position Markings for Taxiway/Taxiway Intersections
Holding position markings for taxiway/taxiway intersections consist of a single dashed yellow line extending across the width of the taxiway. [Figure 14-26] They are painted on taxiways where ATC normally holds aircraft short of a taxiway intersection. When instructed by ATC “hold short of Taxiway X,” you should stop so that no part of your aircraft extends beyond the holding position marking. When the marking is not present, you should stop your aircraft at a point that provides adequate clearance from an aircraft on the intersecting taxiway.
Marking and Lighting of Permanently Closed Runways and Taxiways
For runways and taxiways that are permanently closed, the lighting circuits are disconnected. The runway threshold, runway designation, and touchdown markings are obliterated and yellow “Xs” are placed at each end of the runway and at 1,000-foot intervals.
Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways
For temporarily closed runways and taxiways, a visual indication is often provided with yellow “Xs” or raised lighted yellow “Xs” placed at each end of the runway. Depending on the reason for the closure, duration of closure, airfield configuration, and the existence and the hours of operation of an ATC tower, a visual indication may not be present. As discussed previously in the chapter, you must always check NOTAMs and ATIS for runway and taxiway closure information.
with an adequate number of heavy sand bags to keep the wind from getting under and displacing the vinyl material.
A very effective and preferable visual aid to depict temporary closure is the lighted “X” placed on or near the runway designation numbers. [Figure 14-27B and C] This device is much more discernible to approaching aircraft than the other materials described above.
Other Markings
Some other markings found on the airport include vehicle roadway markings, VOR receiver checkpoint markings, and non-movement area boundary markings.
Airport Signs
There are six types of signs that may be found at airports. The more complex the layout of an airport, the more important the signs become to pilots. Appendix C of this publication shows examples of some signs that are found at most airports, their purpose, and appropriate pilot action. The six types of signs are:
- Mandatory instruction signs-red background with white inscription. These signs denote an entrance to a runway, critical area, or prohibited area.
- Location signs-black with yellow inscription and a yellow border, no arrows. They are used to identify a taxiway or runway location, to identify the boundary of the runway, or identify an instrument landing system (ILS) critical area.
- Direction signs-yellow background with black inscription. The inscription identifies the designation of the intersecting taxiway(s) leading out of an intersection.
- Destination signs-yellow background with black inscription and arrows. These signs provide information on locating areas, such as runways, terminals, cargo areas, and civil aviation areas.
- Information signs-yellow background with black inscription. These signs are used to provide the pilot with information on areas that cannot be seen from the control tower, applicable radio frequencies, and noise abatement procedures. The airport operator determines the need, size, and location of these signs.
- Runway distance remaining signs-black background with white numbers. The numbers indicate the distance of the remaining runway in thousands of feet.
Airport Lighting
The majority of airports have some type of lighting for night operations. The variety and type of lighting systems depends on the volume and complexity of operations at a given airport. Airport lighting is standardized so that airports use the same light colors for runways and taxiways.