AA.III.B.K4FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Knowledge
Runway markings and lighting.
Runway markings and lighting.
Bottom line
There are three types of markings for runways: visual, nonprecision instrument, and precision instrument. The runway edge lights are 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. When viewed from the landing threshold, the runway centerline lights are white until the last 3,000 feet of the runway.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| Yellow caution zone: last 2,000 feet or half the runway length, whichever is less (instrument runways) | Edge lights |
| All red for the last 1,000 feet of the runway | Centerline lights |
| 50-foot intervals along the runway centerline | Centerline spacing |
| Start 100 feet beyond the landing threshold, extend to 3,000 feet beyond or runway midpoint, whichever is less | TDZL extent |
| Coded for distance in 500 feet (150m) increments | TDZ markings |
FAA references
- AIM 2-3-3 (Runway Markings) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AIM 2-1-4 (Runway Edge Light Systems) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AIM 2-1-5 (In-runway Lighting) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AIM 2-3-6 (Other Markings) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AFH ch. 2 (p. 2-22) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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