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AIM

4/20/23

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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 Program. 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

AC 150/5340

1, Standards for Airport Markings.

AC 150/5340

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.