Section 3. Airport Marking Aids and Signs
2-3-1. General

2-3-2. Airport Pavement Markings

a. Airport pavement markings and signs provide
information that is useful to a pilot during takeoff,
landing, and taxiing.

a. General. For the purpose of this section, the
airport pavement markings have been grouped into
four areas:
1. Runway Markings.

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.

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.

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 7-6-1, Aviation Safety Reporting Program. Pilots may also report these situations to the
FAA regional airports division.

2-3-3. Runway Markings

d. The markings and signs described in this
section of the AIM reflect the current FAA
recommended standards.

a. General. There are three types of markings for
runways: visual, nonprecision instrument, and
precision instrument. TBL 2-3-1 identifies the
marking elements for each type of runway and
TBL 2-3-2 identifies runway threshold markings.

REFERENCE-
AC 150/5340-1, Standards for Airport Markings.
AC 150/5340-18, Standards for Airport Sign Systems.

TBL 2-3-1

Runway Marking Elements
Marking Element

Visual Runway

Designation
Centerline
Threshold
X1
Aiming Point
X2
Touchdown Zone
Side Stripes
1 On runways used, or intended to be used, by international commercial transports.

Nonprecision
Instrument
Runway

Precision
Instrument
Runway

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

Airport Marking Aids and Signs

2-3-1