Aerodrome

• Runway

  The area where an aircraft lands or takes off. It can be grass, packed dirt, or a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete.
• Taxiway


  Areas used by aircraft to get to and from their parking place and the runway. Taxiways look similar to runways but are usually narrower and have different markings.
• Taxiway names


  Letters (A, B, C, etc.)
• Apron/Ramp


  The areas where aircraft park. Vehicles can use the apron, unlike runways and taxiways.
• Tarmac


  A term used by the general public and media to refer to the apron, even though it is often paved with concrete, not tarmac.
• Ramp

  An older term used in the US for an area where pre-flight activities were done, distinct from the apron.
• Runway holding position sign

  White numbers on a red background, indicating the edge of the protected area around a runway where permission is required to proceed.
• Guidance sign


  Yellow sign with black letters
• Location sign


  Black sign with yellow letters
• Runway threshold lights


  Red on one side, green on the other
• Airport terminal


  A building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft.
• Concourse


  The buildings that provide access to the airplanes (via gates).
• Control tower


  A tall, windowed structure located on the airport grounds where aerodrome or tower controllers are responsible for the separation and efficient movement of aircraft and vehicles on the taxiways, runways, and in the air near the airport.
• Other minor airport components

  • Compass Rose
  • Weather Vane
  • Maintenance Hangars
  • Airport Administration Building
  • Fixed Based Operator Buildings
  • Public Safety Buildings
  • Ground Vehicle Roads
  • Airport Perimeter Road
• Runway Safety Area


  The cleared, smoothed and graded area around the paved runway, kept free from any obstacles that might impede flight or ground roll of aircraft.
• Blast pads/Overrun areas


  Areas constructed just before the start of a runway or at the end of runways to mitigate the effects of jet blast or to provide emergency space to stop planes that overrun the runway.
• Displaced threshold


  A section of runway that may be used for taxiing, takeoff, and landing rollout, but not for touchdown, often due to obstacles, runway strength, or noise restrictions.
• Normal taxiway centerline marking


  A single continuous yellow line, 15-30 cm in width
• Enhanced taxiway centerline marking


  Provides supplemental visual cues to alert pilots of an upcoming runway holding position marking to minimize runway incursions
• Taxiway edge markings


  Continuous double yellow lines, each at least 15 cm wide, spaced 15 cm apart, defining the taxiway edge from the shoulder or other abutting paved surface
• Taxi shoulder markings


  Yellow lines perpendicular to the taxiway edge, from the edge to the pavement edge, about 3 meters long
• Surface painted taxiway direction signs

  Yellow background with black inscription, provided when taxiway direction signs are not possible or to supplement them
• Surface painted taxiway location signs

  Black background with yellow inscription and yellow/black border, to supplement location signs and assist pilots in confirming their location
• Runway holding position markings


  Four yellow lines, two solid and two dashed, spaced 6-12 inches apart, extending across the width of the taxiway or runway. The solid lines are on the side where the aircraft is to hold.
• Holding position markings for ILS

  Two solid yellow lines spaced 2 feet apart, connected by pairs of solid lines spaced 10 feet apart, extending across the taxiway
• Holding position markings for taxiway/taxiway intersections

  A single dashed line extending across the width of the taxiway
• Surface painted holding position signs

  Red background with white inscription, supplementing the signs located at the holding position
• Airport beacon


  Helps pilots identify an airport at night, operated from dusk to dawn, may be required in certain weather conditions. Indicates the type of airport through the combination of flashing light colors.
• Approach light system


  Primarily intended to provide a means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. Can also aid VFR night operations.
• Visual Glide Slope Indicator (VGSI)


  A system of visible lights arranged in a pattern at the landing end of the runway to provide glide-slope guidance for visual approaches.
• Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)


  Provides visual descent guidance, with a typical 3 degree glide slope. Visible 3-5 miles during the day and up to 20+ miles at night.
• Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)

  Installed in a row of 2 or 4 light units, best effective range is 5 miles during the day and 20 miles at night.
• Tri-color systems


  Consist of a single light unit projecting 3 colors, typically useful from 1 to 1/2 miles during the day and up to 5 miles at night.
• Pulsating systems


  Normally consist of a single light unit projecting a two color visual approach path, useful range is 4 miles during the day and 10 miles at night.