7.1 Airport Markings, Lighting, Traffic Patterns & Communications

7.1 Airport Markings, Lighting, Traffic Patterns & Communications

Operating safely in the airport environment requires a thorough understanding of airport markings, lighting systems, standard traffic pattern procedures, and radio communication protocols. Whether operating at a towered class B, C, or D airport or a non-towered Class G/E airfield, pilots must adhere to standardized procedures to maintain separation and situational awareness.

Radio Communications and Non-Towered Airfield Protocols

At non-towered airports, pilots manage their own traffic separation by broadcasting intentions over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). Common CTAF frequencies include 122.8 MHz or 122.7 MHz, which often double as UNICOM frequencies where ground personnel can provide advisory information such as local wind, active runway in use, and fuel availability.

When approaching a non-towered airport, pilots should begin monitoring and broadcasting on the CTAF approximately 10 nautical miles from the field. Standard position reports should include:

• The name of the target airport (spoken at both the beginning and end of the transmission to prevent confusion among nearby pilots on identical frequencies).
• Aircraft call sign and aircraft type.
• Current location, altitude, and intent (e.g., "5 miles south, 2,500 feet, entering left downwind for Runway 18").

At towered airports, pilots must establish two-way radio communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) before entering Class D airspace (typically within 4 nautical miles up to 2,500 feet AGL). Two-way communication is established as soon as ATC responds with your specific aircraft call sign, even if the controller instructs you to "stand by."

Airport Traffic Patterns

Standard airport traffic patterns maintain order and predictable flow. Unless otherwise published in the Chart Supplement or depicted on visual signs, all traffic patterns utilize left-hand turns. aircraft meeting § 61.316 and standard single-engine aircraft typically fly traffic patterns at 1,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) unless the Chart Supplement or airport markings publish a different pattern altitude. Some airports publish a separate lower pattern for ultralights or other categories—use the published altitude, not a blanket “sport pilot = 500 feet” rule.

A standard traffic pattern consists of five key legs:

1. Upwind Leg: A flight path parallel to and aligned with the landing runway in the direction of takeoff.
2. Crosswind Leg: A horizontal leg perpendicular to the takeoff runway, entered after passing the departure end of the runway and reaching within 300 feet of pattern altitude.
3. Downwind Leg: A course parallel to the landing runway in the direction opposite to landing.
4. Base Leg: A perpendicular leg connecting downwind to final approach, flown after passing a point approximately 45 degrees past the landing threshold.
5. Final Approach: A descending flight path aligned with the runway centerline extending toward the touchdown point.

The recommended pattern entry is a 45-degree angle to the downwind leg, entering at pattern altitude at the midpoint of the downwind leg. This allows maximum visibility of existing pattern traffic.

Runway Markings, Signs, and Holding Lines

Visual markings on runways and taxiways provide essential navigational cues:

• Runway Holding Position Markings: Located at taxiway intersections leading to a runway, consisting of two solid yellow lines and two dashed yellow lines. Solid lines face the taxiway side; dashed lines face the runway side. Aircraft approaching the runway must stop prior to crossing the solid lines until cleared by ATC or until ensuring the runway is clear at non-towered fields. When exiting a runway, aircraft are clear of the runway only after all parts of the aircraft cross the solid yellow lines.
• Displaced Threshold: Indicated by white arrows pointing along the runway centerline leading to a solid white threshold bar. A displaced threshold cannot be used for landing touchdown, but can be used for taxi, takeoff rollout, and landing rollout from the opposite direction.
• Relocated Threshold: Marked by yellow arrows across the paved surface before the threshold; this area is unfit for landing, takeoff, or taxi except as a stopway or taxiway if designated.
• Closed Runway/Taxiway Markings: Depicted by large yellow X's placed at the ends and along the surface. Aircraft operations on marked surfaces are prohibited.

Airport Lighting and Visual Aids

• Airport Rotating Beacons: Indicate airport type and operation at night or during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions (ceiling under 1,000 feet or visibility under 3 statute miles):
  • Civilian Land Airport: Flashing White and Green.
  • Military Airport: Dual Flashing White flashes followed by a Green flash (White-White-Green).
  • Water Airport: Flashing Yellow and White.
  • Heliport: Flashing White, Yellow, and Green.
• Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASI / PAPI): Provide vertical glidepath guidance during approach. Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights use four side-by-side units:
  • 4 White lights: Above glidepath ("Too high").
  • 3 White, 1 Red: Slightly above glidepath.
  • 2 White, 2 Red: On glidepath ("Just right").
  • 1 White, 3 Red: Slightly below glidepath.
  • 4 Red lights: Below glidepath ("Too low - Danger").

ATC Light Gun Signals

In the event of a two-way radio failure at a towered airport, controllers use a high-intensity directional light gun to signal instructions to the aircraft: