AIM

8/15/19

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Airport Marking Aids and Signs

Section 3. Airport Marking Aids and Signs

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1. General

a.

Airport pavement markings and signs provide

information that is useful to a pilot during takeoff,
landing, and taxiing.

b.

Uniformity in airport markings and signs from

one airport to another enhances safety and improves
efficiency. Pilots are encouraged to work with the
operators of the airports they use to achieve the
marking and sign standards described in this section.

c.

Pilots who encounter ineffective, incorrect, or

confusing markings or signs on an airport should
make the operator of the airport aware of the problem.
These situations may also be reported under the
Aviation Safety Reporting Program as described in
Paragraph 7

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1, Aviation Safety Reporting Pro-

gram. Pilots may also report these situations to the
FAA regional airports division.

d.

The markings and signs described in this

section of the AIM reflect the current FAA
recommended standards.

REFERENCE

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AC 150/5340

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1, Standards for Airport Markings.

AC 150/5340

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18, Standards for Airport Sign Systems.

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2. Airport Pavement Markings

a. General.

For the purpose of this section, the

airport pavement markings have been grouped into
four areas:

1. Runway Markings.

2. Taxiway Markings.

3. Holding Position Markings.

4. Other Markings.

b. Marking Colors.

Markings for runways are

white. Markings defining the landing area on a
heliport are also white except for hospital heliports
which use a red “H” on a white cross. Markings for
taxiways, areas not intended for use by aircraft
(closed and hazardous areas), and holding positions
(even if they are on a runway) are yellow.

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3. Runway Markings

a. General.

There are three types of markings for

runways: visual, nonprecision instrument, and
precision instrument. TBL 2

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1 identifies the

marking elements for each type of runway and
TBL 2

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2 identifies runway threshold markings.

TBL 2

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Runway Marking Elements

Marking Element

Visual Runway

Nonprecision

Instrument

Runway

Precision

Instrument

Runway

Designation

X

X

X

Centerline

X

X

X

Threshold

X

1

X

X

Aiming Point

X

2

X

X

Touchdown Zone

X

Side Stripes

X

1

On runways used, or intended to be used, by international commercial transports.

2

On runways 4,000 feet (1200 m) or longer used by jet aircraft.