On the radio, we call it Runway One-Eight, not Runway Eighteen. So, a runway oriented to 183 degrees is rounded down to 180 degrees, and with the zero dropped, becomes Runway 18. The runway number is derived by rounding the magnetic orientation up or down to the nearest whole 10 degrees, and then dropping the last digit. Of course, every strip of asphalt is really two runways for the price of one (depending on which end you land on), so every strip has reciprocal numbers painted on the other end. Located on the landing end of the runway, these numbers indicate the approximate magnetic orientation of the runway from the approach direction. The markings are Arabic numerals 60 to 63 feet tall, painted in white, like all runway markings-the color chosen for high contrast on paved surfaces. The “runway number” is officially called the designation marking. Let’s start with those big white numbers at the end of the runway. For all practical purposes, there are only six flavors of markings for hard-surface runways-along with a few other types of markings that sometimes show up on runways. Well, more correctly, of runway markings. ![]() That’s because I can read the hieroglyphic language of runways. Yep, without using a chart, the chart supplement, or ForeFlight, I know almost everything I need to know about the pavement I’m about to land on. WEDīrush up on runway and airport markings using the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s runway safety flash cards.Īt a glance, even before I make the downwind turn, I have a wealth of information about the runway. ![]() There are special markings that tell you where you are, show you routes designated for vehicles, designate locations for instrument or compass calibration, alert you to runway crossings, warn you of locations where your airplane could interfere with landing systems used by aircraft on approach, and boundary lines beyond which you no longer need to talk to ground control at busy airports.īut once you learn the language, and can navigate successfully around the complex geometry of the airport, it’s good to know the red carpet will be out and ready for you. Mostly painted in yellow-with some use of black, white, red, and pink-there are markings for taxiway locations, centerlines, shoulders, intersections, and holding positions. Yep, it’s a marking.Īnd while it’s hardly an official one, other paved areas of an aerodrome have a series of official markings that speak in their own language to help you navigate, and to avoid pitfalls, as you travel around the tarmac. That’s because the FBO’s welcoming red carpet is painted on the apron. If you know where to park at Southern Illinois Airport (MDH), they’ve already rolled out the red carpet for you.
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