Aerodrome Markings

All aerodrome users should be as familiar with

aerodrome ground markings as they are with Threshold Markings
highway traffic signs – not knowing what they Threshold markings are provided on all
represent could lead to a dangerous situation. paved runways. They are commonly referred
to as piano keys. They are a series of parallel,
longitudinal, stripes (30 metres in length)
For the general aviation pilot with little experience in across the width of the runway, commencing
operating from busy aerodromes, negotiating the concrete at a point 6 metres from the runway end.
and asphalt maze of taxiways, turnoffs, holding points,
apron areas, etc, can be rather bewildering. Taking a wrong
turn at the wrong time may not only be very embarrassing,
but also potentially hazardous. It is very important that all Displaced Landing Threshold
pilots using such aerodromes be thoroughly familiar with When necessary, the landing threshold will be
standard ground markings, as well as the layout of the displaced to a point along the runway where
manoeuvring area, and ground movement procedures. the approach profile will allow an aircraft to
Ground movement charts for the major aerodromes and clear some particular obstacle. The threshold
a number of provincial aerodromes are provided in AIP may be temporarily or permanently displaced.
New Zealand. Pilots need to be able to follow ground If the obstacle will eventually be removed,
movement charts while taxiing an aircraft. then a temporarily displaced threshold is
marked either by wing bars, cones, or marker
Large aerodromes with interconnecting taxiways are boards placed outside the runway edge.
Permanently
designed for speedy, efficient movement and safe traffic Displaced Threshold If the obstacle cannot be removed, a
flow on the ground. To avoid becoming the cause of a permanently displaced threshold is marked
bottleneck in the flow, pilots should familiarise themselves by a transverse stripe 6 metres before the
with the meaning of aerodrome markings before entering new threshold marking. Arrows between the
an aerodrome area. paved runway end and the transverse stripe
Contained in this article are some of the main aerodrome are located at a fixed distance back from the
markings that you might expect to see while operating threshold stripes.
in New Zealand. We haven’t included every possible Landing aircraft should not touch down before
marking, but for those who would like further information, the displaced landing threshold and should
a simple description and explanation can be found in be flown across the threshold markings at
AIP New Zealand. Details of New Zealand standards for approximately 50 feet agl.
runway, taxiway and apron markings can be found in
It must be emphasised that a displaced
20
Advisory Circular 139-6, Appendices 1 to 3. Although
this information is designed for aerodrome operators, it landing threshold is not a displaced takeoff
also provides useful illustrations for pilots. threshold. It has nothing to do with the
Temporarily
Displaced Threshold point for commencing the takeoff roll.
Indeed, failure to use the full takeoff
Runway Markings distance available could result in the aircraft
All runway surface markings are painted white, sometimes having an inadequate takeoff distance
edged with black (on concrete runways) to provide better available, with reduction of obstacle
definition. At the intersection of two paved runways, clearance in the climb.
markings on the primary runway only are displayed.

VECTOR – Pointing to Safer Aviation November / December 2007

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 Centreline Markings Touchdown Zone Marking
Centreline markings are provided Touchdown zone markings are pro-
on each paved runway, commencing vided on runways that have instru-
from the runway designation ment approaches, and consist of
marking. The centreline consists of a several pairs of rectangular blocks
series of uniformly spaced lines and at 150-metre intervals from the
gaps along the centre of the runway threshold. They provide reference
throughout its length. points for a pilot to assess their
progress towards the fixed distance
20 markers.

Pilots should familiarise

themselves with the meaning Touchdown Zone Limit
Marking
of aerodrome markings before
Triangular touchdown zone limit
entering an aerodrome. markers are provided at some
aerodromes as ‘go-around points’ for
specific types of heavy aircraft that
are runway restricted. The marking
Runway Designation consists of a series of transverse
The runway designation is located stripes in a right angle pattern
just beyond the threshold marking of located at the runway edges. They
each paved runway. It consists of the are applicable only to those specific
first two digits of a magnetic bearing aircraft types. An example would be
relating to the runway centreline. For for a 747SP using an aerodrome such
example, if the runway centreline is as Wellington.
29 286 degrees magnetic, the runway
designation will be Runway 29 – the
nearest first-two digits rounded. Taxiway and Apron Markings
Taxiway and apron markings are of a conspicuous colour (yellow)
that contrasts with the colour used for runway markings – they
Aiming Point Markers may also be edged in black to provide better definition.
Aiming point markers are two
rectangular stripes either side of the Taxiway Centreline Marking
runway centreline that are aligned
to the PAPI to indicate the desired A taxiway centreline marking is a
touchdown location in accordance continuous line. On a taxiway curve,
with the visual aid provided. These the centreline marking will continue
have replaced fixed distance markers from the straight portion(s) of the
at some aerodromes. They indicate taxiway at a constant distance from
where the aircraft should touch the outside edge of the curve. It is
down. important that taxiway lines are
followed when manoeuvring around
the aerodrome to ensure adequate
wing and wheel clearance in the case
Fixed Distance Markers of large aircraft.

Fixed distance markings consist of

a rectangular block on each side of
the runway centreline, 300 metres Intermediate Holding
from the threshold. Each rectangular Position Marking
block is composed of a series of thin An intermediate holding position
longitudinal stripes. This is where marking marks a holding position
you should aim to touch down. These that has been established to protect a
markings work on the assumption priority route. These markings consist
that you pass over the runway of a single broken line.
threshold at a height of 50 feet.
Continued over...

VECTOR – Pointing to Safer Aviation November / December 2007 www.caa.govt.nz 

 Runway Holding Position
Marking
Pattern ‘A’ runway holding position
marking is the last holding position
prior to entering a runway. These
markings consist of transverse lines
across the width of the taxiway. Note
that the line nearest the runway is
broken and the one on the taxiway
side is solid.
Wellington International Airport, looking southwest.
Pattern ‘B’ runway holding position
marking is used to identify a holding
point further away from a runway Closed Taxiway/Runway Marking
than a pattern ‘A’ runway holding
position marking. A pattern ‘B’
Closed Marking
runway holding position marking

X X
has two lines across the runway If a runway or taxiway (or a portion
that are intersected at 90 degrees by of either) is closed, white crosses near
small lines. It looks similar to a ladder the ends of the closed portion will be
across the taxiway. painted, or will be formed by white
marker boards.

In some domestic aerodromes in New

Zealand the holding position marking
may still be a single line with a dashed Marker Boards or Cones
Runway

line closest to the runway.

Marker boards or cones displayed on an aerodrome
Aircraft should not proceed beyond indicate the safe limits of aircraft movement. They
a taxiway holding position in the comprise distinctive rectangular boards or pointed
direction of the runway until the cones, coloured white, red, yellow or orange, and they
Apron

pilot is confident that the runway and are displayed on the boundaries of the areas concerned.
approach are clear or, for a controlled
aerodrome, a clearance has been
issued by air traffic control.
05
R

In situations where an
aerodrome has two
parallel runways, such
as Auckland, pilots need
to be aware of which A9: In this situation an aircraft that is
runway holding position taxiing via ‘A9’ for a departure off 05R
will need to stop at the second set of
markings to stop at. runway holding position markings.
A1 0

Remember that you

A9

need to stop the aircraft A10: The aircraft is taxiing via ‘A10’ for
short of the series of the a departure off 05R. In this situation the
lines where the closest aircraft will need to stop at the first set
of runway holding position markers.
to you is solid, and the
furthest away is broken.

In both situations it is absolutely imperative that the pilots check to ensure the runway is clear
before entering the runway even if an ATC clearance to line up has been issued.

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