Runway & Taxiway Markings and Signs
Airport paint and signs are colour-coded: white markings belong to the runway, yellow to taxiways. Knowing them prevents runway incursions.
Runway markings (white)
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Designator numbers | Magnetic heading of the runway, rounded to the nearest 10° and dropping the last digit (e.g. “09” ≈ 090°) |
| Centerline | Dashed white line down the middle |
| Threshold | Series of longitudinal stripes marking the start of the landing surface |
| Aiming point | Two broad stripes ~1,000 ft down the runway — a visual touchdown target |
| Touchdown-zone | Pairs of stripes coded in 500-ft increments (instrument runways) |
| Displaced threshold | Arrows leading to a threshold bar — area before it is for taxi/takeoff/rollout, not landing |
| Chevrons (yellow) | Blast pad / stopway — not usable for taxi, takeoff or landing |
Hold-short & signs
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Holding position marking | Two solid + two dashed yellow lines; stop at the solid side unless cleared onto the runway |
| Mandatory sign | White text on red — a runway boundary or critical area you may not cross without a clearance |
| Location sign | Yellow text on black — identifies the taxiway you are on |
| Direction sign | Black text on yellow — points to intersecting taxiways |
| Runway distance-remaining sign | White number on black — thousands of feet of runway remaining |
Reference only — verify against the current FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and regulations before flight. More quick reference.