Airport Protocol

red, white and green

wiggling their wings, moving the ailerons if on the ground, or by flashing their landing or navigation lights during hours of darkness

Land at this airport and proceed to Apron

Return to starting point

Return to starting point

Cleared to land

Cleared for takeoff

Cleared to cross/proceed

Cleared to approach airport, or return to land

Cleared to taxi

Continue circling, give way to other aircraft

Stop

Stop

Airport unsafe, do not land

Airport unsafe, do not land

Immediately taxi clear of runway in use

Clear the taxiway/runway

Exercise extreme caution

Exercise extreme caution

Exercise extreme caution

Vehicles, planes, and pedestrians immediately clear landing area in use

122.700 MHz
122.725 MHz
122.800 MHz
122.950 MHz
122.975 MHz
123.000 MHz
123.050 MHz
123.075 MHz

-Visual runways
-Non-precision instrument runways
-Precision instrument runways
-STOL

Asphalt

Bitumenous Asphalt or Tarmac

Bricks (no longer in use, covered with Asphalt or Concrete now)

Clay

Composite

Concrete

Composite

Grass or earth not graded or rolled

Coral (Coral reef structures)

YOU ARE ALL RIGHT

YOU ARE DEAD

Graded or rolled earth, Grass on graded earth

Gravel

Laterite

Ice

Macadam

Partially Concrete, Asphalt or Bitumen-bound Macadam

Permanent Surface, Details unknown

Marsden Matting (Derived from Pierced/Perforated Steel Planking)

Sand

Snow

Unknown surface

4.5 mi; blue lamp

3,500 ft; visual contact with the runway is imminent; amber

1,000 ft; white lamp

c) This painted marking indicates the line between a movement area and a non-movement area on the airport.

d)This sign identifies the taxiway you're currently on.

c) This sign alerts you that you are approaching a runway and, on a taxiway, is accompanies by a runway holding positions marking.

d) Taxiing past this sign may interfere with operations on the runway even though it is not located at a runway intersection.

b) This marking indicates where an aircraft is to hold before entering a runway.

c) An aircraft that taxis past this sign may interfere with the navigational landing aid signals that an approaching aircraft is using.

b) These lights are sometimes installed on each side of a taxiway prior to its intersection with a runway.

1.Review and understand airfield signage and markings.

2.Review the appropriate airport diagrams. Review any Hot Spots identified on the diagram. Print a copy for use in the cockpit.

3.Review airfield NOTAMS and current ATIS for any taxiway closures, runway closures, construction activity, or other airfield specific risks.

4.Brief any passengers on the importance to minimize discussions, questions, and conversation during taxi (maintain a “sterile cockpit”).

1.Have the airport diagram out and available for immediate reference during taxi.

2.Review current ATIS for any taxiway closures, runway closures, construction activity, or other airfield specific risks.

3.During radio transmissions, use correct terminology and proper voice cadence.

4.Copy the taxi clearance and use the airport diagram to review the taxi route to the assigned runway prior to releasing brakes and beginning taxi.

5.Eliminate distractions while taxiing in the operational area.

6.Focus attention and have your "eyes out" of the cockpit when taxiing.

7.Maintain appropriate taxi speed.

8.Be alert to similar call signs operating on the field.

9.STOP aircraft on the taxiway and request ATC clarification if there is confusion regarding aircraft position or ATC taxi clearance.

10.Prior to crossing any runway during taxi, ensure you have a clearance to cross. Visually check to ensure there is no conflicting traffic prior to crossing the runway.

11.If there is any doubt that the runway is clear, reconfirm crossing clearance with ATC.

12.Be aware that hold short lines can be as far as 400’ from the runway due to new Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ) requirements.

13.Maintain a “sterile cockpit” when taxiing.

1.If cleared to “line up and wait”, turn on all exterior lights except take-off/landing lights. If you have been holding in position on the runway for more than 90 seconds, or upon seeing a potential conflict, contact the tower.

2.When “cleared for takeoff”, turn on all exterior lights, including take-off/landing lights.

3.Note that if you see an aircraft in take-off position on a runway with take-off/landing lights ON, that aircraft has most likely received its take-off clearance and will be departing immediately.

4.When assigned a departure at an intersection versus a full length takeoff, state “intersection departure” at the end of the take-off clearance readback.

5.Conduct "Clearing Turns" to check all areas prior to entering ANY runway.

1.Wait until you have exited the active runway and you are sure of your taxi clearance prior to beginning an after-landing checklist

2.Follow the same TAXI Best Practices

2400−3000 ; 1400−1500

Approach Light Systems

Visual Glideslope Indicators

2, 4,
6, 12, or 16

3

3; 1/4

high cockpit aircraft; a sufficient threshold crossing height.

3−5; 20

the aircraft is visually aligned with the runway

in the Airport/ Facility Directory

Below Glide Path

On Glide Path

Above Glide Path

Below Both Glide Paths

On Lower
Glide Path

On Upper Glide Path

Precision Approach Path Indicator

two or four

High (More Than 3.5 Degrees)

Slightly High (3.2 Degrees)

On Glide Path
(3 Degrees)

Slightly Low (2.8 Degrees)

Low (Less Than 2.5 Degrees)

a single light unit
projecting a three-color visual approach path into the
final approach area of the runway

one-half to one mile; five miles

exercise care to properly locate and identify the light signal

Pulsating Visual Approach Slope Indicator

a pair of synchronized flashing lights located laterally on each
side of the runway threshold

a. Identification of a runway surrounded by a
preponderance of other lighting.
b. Identification of a runway which lacks contrast
with surrounding terrain.
c. Identification of a runway during reduced
visibility.

outline the edges of runways during periods of darkness or
restricted visibility conditions

white, except on instrument runways yellow replaces white on the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length, whichever is less, to form a caution zone for landings

white; 2000; half the runway length

Runway Centerline Lighting System

white; red: red

Alternate green and yellow lights

a row of pulsing white lights installed across the runway at the hold short point

Runway Status Light

a fully automated system that provides
runway status information to pilots and surface
vehicle operators to clearly indicate when it is unsafe
to enter, cross, takeoff from, or land on a runway

Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal

the approaching runway is occupied; flashing the Precision Approach Path Indicator

NOTE−At this time, the stand-alone FAROS system is not widely implemented and is used for evaluation purposes.

Runway Entrance Lights

that there is high speed traffic on the runway or there is an aircraft on final approach within the activation area

proceed according to their best judgment while understanding the illuminated lights indicate the runway is unsafe to
enter or cross. Contact ATC at the earliest possible
opportunity.

Takeoff Hold Lights

the “line up and wait” point; 1500

Two aircraft; a surface vehicle and an aircraft

The Final Approach Runway Occupancy Signal

flashing of the Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) - NOTE−
FAROS is an independent automatic alerting system that does not rely on ATC control or input

look for and acquire the traffic on the runway; contact ATC for resolution; execute an immediate “go around” and
contact ATC at the earliest possible opportunity

operate with the transponder “On” when
departing the gate or parking area

illuminated red lights; notify ATC of the conflict and re-confirm the clearance.

ATC clearance

ATC personnel have limited control over the system and may not be able to view the FAROS signal

3 clicks - low
5 clicks - low
7 clicks - high

3 clicks- low
5 clicks - med
7 clicks - high

Takeoff Hold Lights

Runway Entrance Lights

Taxiway Lead−On Light Configuration

one to ten

seven

15; 5; 3

this will assure the aircraft is close enough to activate
the system and ensure a full 15 minutes lighting duration is
available

an omnidirectional capacitor-discharge device, rotate at a constant speed

24-30

30 to 45

1. White and Green− Lighted land airport.
2. *Green alone− Lighted land airport.
3. White and Yellow− Lighted water airport.
4. *Yellow alone− Lighted water airport.
5. Green, Yellow, and White− Lighted heliport

Military airport beacons flash alternately white and green, but are differentiated from civil beacons by dualpeaked (two quick) white flashes between the green flashes.

*Green alone or yellow alone is used only in connection
with a white-and-green or white-and-yellow beacon
display, respectively.

that the ground visibility is less than 3 miles and/or the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet

blue light

green light

three in-pavement steady-burning yellow lights

a pair of elevated flashing yellow lights installed on either side of the taxiway, or a row of in-pavement yellow lights installed across the entire taxiway, at the runway
holding position marking

red illuminated stop bar

ATC clearance to
enter or cross the active runway; 1,200

a row of red, unidirectional, steady−burning in-pavement lights installed across the entire taxiway at the runway holding position, and elevated steady−burning red lights on each side

stop bar; lead-on lights

a) This sign indicates the direction to a destination runway.

above both glide paths

a landing place, landmark, point of the Federal airways, or an obstruction

flashes the three or four character airport identifier in International Morse Code six to eight times per minute

NOTE−
Airway beacons are remnants of the “lighted” airways which antedated the present electronically equipped federal airways system. Only a few of these beacons exist today to mark airway segments in remote mountain areas. Flashes in Morse code identify the beacon site.

900 feet (270m)

continuous white stripes located on each side of the runway

yellow

eight longitudinal stripes of uniform dimensions disposed symmetrically about the
runway centerline; number of stripes is related to the runway width

4

6

8

12

16

ten feet wide white threshold bar across the width of the runway

1. Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas)

2. Nonregulatory (military operations areas (MOAs), warning areas, alert areas, and controlled firing areas).

1. Controlled,
2. Uncontrolled,
3. Special use, and
4. Other airspace.

1. The complexity or density of aircraft movements
2. The nature of the operations conducted within the airspace
3. The level of safety required
4. The national and public interest.

1,000 feet

3 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds

3 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

3 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

3 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

5 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

one statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds

3 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

1 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

3 statute miles flight visibility
500 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
2,000 feet horizontally from clouds

5 statute miles flight visibility
1000 feet below clouds
1,000 feet above clouds
1 statute mile horizontally from clouds

Odd thousands MSL, plus 500 feet
(3,500; 5,500; 7,500, etc.)

Even thousands MSL, plus 500 feet
(4,500; 6,500; 8,500, etc.)

Odd Flight Levels plus 500 feet
(FL 195; FL 215; FL 235, etc.)

Even Flight Levels plus 500 feet
(FL 185; FL 205; FL 225, etc.)

file an IFR flight plan and receive an appropriate ATC clearance.

the controller observes another aircraft which places it in an unsafe proximity. When feasible, the controller will offer the pilot an alternative course of action.

mean sea level

above ground level

flight level

Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E

below 2,000 feet above the surface within the lateral boundaries of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport

Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace without, or in violation of, the terms of an ATC authorization issued by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the airspace.

airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous
States and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures are applied.

IFR

that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.

“clear of clouds.”

1) are equipped with an operable two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that Class B airspace
2)The pilot−in−command holds at least a private pilot certificate; or (b) The aircraft is operated by a student pilot or recreational pilot who seeks private pilot certification
3) each person operating a large turbine engine-powered airplane to or from a primary airport must operate at or above the designated floors while within the lateral limits of Class B airspace
4) each aircraft must be equipped as follows:
(a) For IFR operations, an operable VOR or TACAN receiver; and
(b) For all operations, a two-way radio capable of communications with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that area; and (c) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting equipment.
5) aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having Mode C capability
6) No person may take off or land a civil aircraftat certain primary airports within Class B airspace

Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Altitude, and Terminal Area Charts.

obtain an ATC clearance prior to entering Class B airspace and must contact ATC on the appropriate frequency, and in relation to geographical fixes shown on local charts

established in relation to the points indicated for spacing and sequencing purposes

operate at altitudes above or below the Class B airspace or transit through established VFR corridors. Pilots operating in VFR corridors are urged to use frequency 122.750 MHz for the exchange of aircraft position
information.

(a) 1 1/2 miles lateral separation, or
(b) 500 feet vertical separation, or
(c) Visual separation.

VFR Planning Chart

An authorization by ATC requiring pilots to submit only that information needed for the purpose of ATC. It includes only a small portion of the usual IFR flight plan information. In certain instances, this may be only aircraft identification, location, and pilot request. Other information may be requested if needed by ATC for separation/control purposes. It is
frequently used by aircraft which are airborne and desire an instrument approach or by aircraft which are
on the ground and desire a climb to VFR-on-top

An aircraft is “abeam” a fix, point, or
object when that fix, point, or object is approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track. Abeam indicates a general position rather than a precise point

terminate a preplanned aircraft maneuver; e.g., an aborted takeoff

The runway plus stopway length declared available and suitable for the acceleration and deceleration of an airplane aborting a takeoff.

Let me know that you have received and understood this message.

An intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft’s attitude, an abnormal attitude, or an abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight.

a flight’s frozen calculated landing time. An actual time determined at freeze calculated landing time (FCLT) or meter list display interval (MLDI) for the adapted vertex for each arrival aircraft based upon runway configuration, airport acceptance rate, airport arrival delay period, and other metered arrival aircraft. This time is either the vertex time of arrival (VTA) of the aircraft or the tentative calculated landing time (TCLT)/ACLT of the previous aircraft plus the arrival aircraft interval (AAI), whichever is later. This time will not be updated in response to the aircraft’s progress

a single continuous yellow line, 6 inches (15 cm) to
12 inches (30 cm) in width

a parallel line of yellow dashes on either side of the
normal taxiway centerline; 150 feet

warn the pilot that he/she is approaching a runway holding position marking and
should prepare to stop unless he/she has been cleared onto or across the runway by ATC

1. Continuous Markings. - double yellow line, with each line being at least 6 inches in width spaced 6 inches
apart used to define the taxiway edge from the shoulder or some other abutting paved surface not intended for use by aircraft.
2. Dashed Markings. These markings are used when there is an operational need to define the edge of a taxiway or taxilane on a paved surface where the adjoining pavement to the taxiway edge is intended for use by aircraft, e.g., an apron. Dashed taxiway edge markings consist of a broken double yellow line, with each line being at least 6 inches
in width, spaced 6 inches apart