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Airport taxiways can be challenging for pilots to navigate, as planes are built to fly, not to operate on the ground. Airports are built in different sizes, with runways pointing in different directions, and the possible permutations of taxiways and ramps can be confusing. Thankfully, airport markings are standardised worldwide, and signs are used to guide pilots from the parking area to the active runway. These signs fall into six categories: destination, direction, information, location, mandatory instruction, and runway distance remaining signs. Taxiway signs are indicated by letters, while runway signs are indicated by numbers. The signs are either black with yellow letters or yellow with black letters and arrows.
Airport Taxiway Signs Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Guide pilots from the parking airport to the active runway |
| Colours | Black and yellow |
| Letters | NATO phonetic alphabet |
| Numbers | Numerical designation of runways |
| Letters | Alphabetic designation of taxiways |
| Holding Position Signs | Equivalent of stop signs |
| Mandatory Instruction Signs | Runway number, "APCH" or "DEP" |
| Runway Distance Remaining Signs | Black background, white numerical text |
| Destination Signs | Yellow background, black text and arrows |
| Direction Signs | Yellow sign, black lettering and arrow |
| Information Signs | Indicate FBO (Fixed-Base Operators) |
| Location Signs | Black square, yellow letter |
| Surface-Painted Location Signs | Black background, yellow inscription |
| Geographic Position Markings | Low visibility taxi routes |
| VOR Receiver Checkpoint Markings | Painted circle, arrow in the middle |
| Non-Movement Area Boundary Markings | Dashed line over a solid line, painted in yellow |
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What You'll Learn
Taxiway signs use the NATO phonetic alphabet
The NATO phonetic alphabet is used by pilots and air traffic control to refer to taxiways, which are named alphabetically. For example, "Taxiway Alpha", "Taxiway Bravo", "Taxiway Charlie", and so on. This helps to avoid confusion with runways, which are referenced numerically.
The use of the NATO phonetic alphabet is important for safety and navigation in the complex network of taxiways, runways, and other aircraft movement surfaces at airports. No two airports are alike, and the use of standardized signage and markings helps pilots to safely operate at any airport they land at.
In addition to the NATO phonetic alphabet, pilots and air traffic control must also be aware of other types of airport signs and markings. These include destination signs, direction signs, information signs, location signs, mandatory instruction signs, and runway distance remaining signs. Each type of sign has a specific purpose and helps guide pilots and aircraft to the correct locations.
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Signs are colour-coded
Signs at airports are colour-coded to help pilots navigate the complex network of taxiways and runways. While the specific layouts of airports differ, the signs and markings are standardised worldwide, ensuring pilots can safely operate wherever they land.
Runways are always designated numerically, while taxiways have alphabetic designations. So, if you see a number, it refers to a runway; if you see a letter, it refers to a taxiway.
Black and yellow signs are the most common on taxiways. A black background with yellow letters or numbers indicates the plane's current position on the taxiway. For example, a black sign with a yellow letter "B" means the plane is on taxiway B.
Yellow signs with black letters and arrows are directional signs. The black arrow points planes in the direction of the taxiway they are heading to. These signs will always be on the left side of the taxiway before an intersection.
Red signs with white letters are holding position signs, indicating that a plane needs to stop and wait for clearance before proceeding. These signs are placed at runway intersections, where another plane could be taking off or landing. They are the airport equivalent of stop signs and require specific ground clearance for pilots to proceed.
Other signs you may encounter include destination signs, which have a yellow background with black text and arrows, providing directions to remote locations like cargo areas, civil aviation areas, runways, terminals, and fixed-base operators. Runway distance remaining signs have a black background with white numerical text, indicating the distance to the end of the runway.
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Signs are placed on either side of the taxiway
These signs are designed primarily for pilots, but passengers can also follow along to understand their location and destination. Taxiway signs are typically black with yellow letters or yellow with black letters and arrows. The black square with yellow letters indicates the plane's current position on the taxiway. For instance, a yellow letter "B" on a black sign indicates that the plane is on taxiway B.
The placement of signs on both sides of the taxiway is especially important at holding positions, where aircraft need to stop and wait for clearance to cross or enter a runway. These signs help ensure proper aircraft separation and are often paired with pavement markings and lights to emphasize the holding position. Signs at holding positions may also indicate the need for special clearance, as they could be approaching the intersection of a runway where another plane is preparing for takeoff.
Additionally, signs placed on either side of the taxiway can provide directional information. According to the FAA, directional signs with black lettering will always be on the left side of the taxiway before the intersection, arranged from left to right based on their location in a clockwise direction. These signs help pilots navigate the intricate network of taxiways and ensure they are heading towards their intended destination.
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Signs are placed at low-visibility points
Signs placed at low-visibility points are known as geographic position markings. These are located at points along low-visibility taxi routes designated in the airport's Surface Movement Guidance Control System (SMGCS) plan. They are used to identify the location of taxiing aircraft during low-visibility operations. Low-visibility operations are those that occur when the runway visible range (RVR) is below 1200 feet (360m). They are positioned to the left of the taxiway centreline in the direction of taxiing.
Geographic position markings are just one of several types of airport markings and signs. Others include runway markings, holding position markings, and other markings. Runway markings are white, while holding position markings are red with white letters. These signs indicate that pilots need special clearance to pass, as they denote the intersection of a runway, where another plane may be taking off.
In addition to signs, airports may also use flashing yellow lights, known as "wig-wag lights" or runway guard lights, to draw attention to runway crossings.
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Signs are paired with markings on the taxiway
Signs are always paired with markings on the taxiway to help pilots navigate airports. Planes are built to fly, and operating them on the ground is not always easy. Pilots have poor visibility, and planes cannot turn around fast or back up. Airports are also confusing because no two airports are alike. They are built in different sizes, with runways pointing in different directions, and have different permutations of taxiways and ramps.
Taxiways are indicated on a black sign with yellow letters or a yellow sign with black letters and arrows. A black square with yellow letters and/or numbers inside signifies the plane's position on the various taxiways. For example, a sign with a black background and the letter "A" in yellow indicates to pilots that they are on taxiway A. Taxiways are referred to using the NATO phonetic alphabet, so the example above would be called "Taxiway Alpha".
Taxiway location signs identify the taxiway on which an aircraft is currently located. These signs feature a black background with yellow lettering and do not have directional arrows. When turning from one taxiway to another, a taxiway directional sign indicates the designation and direction of a taxiway. These signs feature a yellow background with black lettering and directional arrows.
The first indication that a pilot is approaching a runway is usually the hold-short bars. These are four yellow lines painted perpendicular to the taxiway, two solid and two dashed. The dashed side always faces the runway, and pilots are instructed to stop and not proceed onto the runway when they see this marking. Hold-short markings are usually combined with a mandatory information sign showing the runway numbers. These signs are red with white letters and only appear at runway intersections.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport taxiway signs are usually black and yellow and have numbers or letters on them. They can be a combination of letters and numbers, or just letters.
Letters indicate taxiways, while numbers indicate runways. Taxiways are where planes prepare for their flights and taxi after landing. Runways are specifically for takeoffs and landings.
Black signs with yellow letters indicate that you are already on the taxiway it identifies. Yellow signs with black letters and arrows are directional signs that point you in the direction of the taxiway you are heading to. Red signs with white letters indicate that the plane is headed for the intersection of a runway and that the pilot needs special clearance to pass.
Holding position signs are the airport equivalent of stop signs. They are used when a plane needs to hold on a taxiway located in the approach or departure area of a runway so that the aircraft does not interfere with the operations on that runway.
