NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 1 of 19

Airport Markings and Lighting

Dr. A. A. TraniAssociate Professor of Civil Engineering

Associate Director of NEXTORVirginia Tech

Blacksburg, VAApril 21, 1998

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 2 of 19

Outline of this Presentation

• A human factors problem

• How important are markings

• Why standardized markings

• Various marking schemes

• Lights

• Approach light types

• Signage

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 3 of 19

A Human Factors Problem

• Cockpit visibility is an issue during approach and landing operations

• Aircraft usually fly a 3 degree approach slope but the actual fuselage deck angle might be 7-10 degrees with the horizontal

Visibility Cone

Runway

Aircraft

Flight Path

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 4 of 19

Aircraft Approach Attitude

Consider the aircraft attitude during the landing roll on why markings are important

B727-200Flare

TouchdownMarkings

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 5 of 19

Taxiway Markings

Taxiway markings provide guidance during good and bad weather conditions (note the yellow markings)

Cessna 650

Taxiway Centerline

Holding LineMarks

Markings

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 6 of 19

Runway Markings (FAA)

There are three basic runway marking arrangements

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 7 of 19

Runway Markings

Touchdown Marks (1000 ft.)

Threshold Marks

Runway Identification Number

Runway Edge Marks

Runway Centerline Marks

Runway Turnoff

Runway Shoulder

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 8 of 19

Runway Threshold Markings

Runway Number

Threshold Markers

150 ft

Runway CL Marks

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 9 of 19

More Runway/HS Exit Markings

Precision runways require 5 types of markings (centerline, edge, touchdown, runway ID, and threshold)

Runway CL Marks

CL Taxiway

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 10 of 19

HS Exit Markings

HS exits deserve special attention because they are seldom used at the design speed by pilots

REDIM 3520 Geometry35 m/s Design Exit Speed20 Degree Exit Angle

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 11 of 19

Typical Approach Lights

The approach lights provide roll guidance during landing (very important during low visibility operations)

2000 ft3000 ft

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 12 of 19

Sample View from the Cockpit

Another sample of precision approach lights as viewed from 1000 ft (note the color of these lights)

HS Exits

Touchdown Lights

Runway EndIdentififierLights (REIL)

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 13 of 19

Detail of High Speed Exit Lights

HS exit lights are shown in more detail in this figure

REIL

HS Exit Lights

Touchdown Lights

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 14 of 19

Placement of Runway Touchdown Lights

Runway lights are flushed on runways to avoid damage to the aircraft landing gear

26 inches

MountingSupport

17” inchPCCRunway

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 15 of 19

Runway Light Fixtures (RLF)

RLF are frangible structures located near the runway or taxiway shoulders

Shoulder

Light Fixture

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 16 of 19

Apron Lights

Apron areas need to be properly lighted to help pilots guide aircraft under adverse weather conditions

UPS Boeing 747

PW JT9D-7REngine

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 17 of 19

Apron Lights (Deicing Crane)

Deicing sections near runways or aprons have to be properly lighted to avoid ground collisions

245 ft

Adjustable DeicingCrane at UPS

Facility

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 18 of 19

Airport Signs

Airport signs are very important to provide guidance on runways, taxiways and apron areas

36 inches

NEXTOR - National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research 19 of 19

Runway Length Markers

Remaining runway markers are very critical to pilots during takeoff roll manuevers

In this case theremaining runwayis 6,000 ft long