AIM

4/3/14

2−3−30

Airport Marking Aids and Signs

2

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3

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14. Aircraft Arresting Systems

a.

Certain airports are equipped with a means of

rapidly stopping military aircraft on a runway. This

equipment, normally referred to as EMERGENCY

ARRESTING GEAR, generally consists of pendant

cables supported over the runway surface by rubber

“donuts.” Although most devices are located in the

overrun areas, a few of these arresting systems have

cables stretched over the operational areas near the

ends of a runway.

b.

Arresting cables which cross over a runway

require special markings on the runway to identify

the cable location. These markings consist of 10 feet

diameter solid circles painted “identification yel-

low,” 30 feet on center, perpendicular to the runway

centerline across the entire runway width. Additional

details are contained in AC 150/5220−9, Aircraft

Arresting Systems for Joint Civil/Military Airports.

NOTE

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Aircraft operations on the runway are not restricted by the
installation of aircraft arresting devices.

c.

Engineered materials arresting systems

(EMAS). EMAS, which are constructed of high

energy−absorbing materials of selected strength, are

located in the safety area beyond the end of the

runway. They are designed to crush under the weight

of commercial aircraft and they exert deceleration

forces on the landing gear. These systems do not

affect the normal landing and takeoff of airplanes.

More information concerning EMAS is in FAA

Advisory Circular AC 150/5220−22, Engineered

Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) for Aircraft

Overruns.

NOTE

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EMAS may be located as close as 35 feet beyond the end of
the runway. Aircraft should never taxi or drive across the
runway.

FIG 2

−3−42

Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS)