Aerodrome markings
Learning objectives
- State the colour code of aerodrome markings and identify the main runway markings: designation, centre line, threshold, aiming point, touchdown zone and side stripes.
- Explain how a displaced threshold is marked and what the arrows before it mean for a landing pilot.
- Distinguish pattern A, pattern B and the intermediate holding position marking, and state what you must do at each.
- Calculate a runway designation from a magnetic azimuth, and the designation at the opposite end.
The idea
A pilot sitting low in a cockpit sees the ground at a very shallow angle, so the pavement itself has to talk. Paint turns the surface into instructions: where the runway is, where to aim, where the landing part begins, which line to follow and where to stop. A colour code lets you read it at a glance, even in poor light. Learn the colours first, then the shapes. The shapes that guard the runway protect you from the most dangerous mistake on the ground.
What a marking is, and who uses these standards
A marking is a symbol, or a group of symbols, painted or applied on the surface of the movement area to pass information to pilots and drivers. A marker, an object above ground level, is taught on page 010-09-02.
The EU design specifications for aerodromes apply to aerodromes inside the scope of the EU Basic Regulation. That means aerodromes in EU territory that are open to public use, serve commercial air transport and have a paved instrument runway of 800 m or more. Military-controlled aerodromes are excluded.
Many small private or grass airfields are outside this scope, and their markings may differ.
The specifications are written with "should", but at a certified aerodrome they describe what you will normally find. Your own obligations as a pilot come from SERA, the EU rules of the air. The EU marking standard follows ICAO's Annex 14 closely.
The colour code
Colour tells you what kind of surface you are on before you read any shape.
Markings use a conspicuous colour that contrasts with the surface. Runway markings are white. Markings for taxiways, runway turn pads and aircraft stands are yellow. Apron safety lines use another conspicuous colour that contrasts with the stand markings.
Two more combinations carry instructions as text on the pavement. A white inscription on a red background is a mandatory instruction marking. A yellow inscription on black, or black on yellow, is an information marking. Where contrast with the pavement is poor, a white or black border is added.
Describe this figure
White is used for runway markings such as the threshold stripes, the number and the centre line. Yellow is used for taxiway centre lines, holding positions and aircraft stands. White lettering on red is a mandatory instruction marking, for example NO ENTRY or a runway designation. Yellow lettering on black tells you where you are, and black lettering on yellow tells you where to go. A box at the bottom gives a memory hook: white for the runway, yellow for everything you taxi on.
The figure is a card with five swatches. It shows white for runway, yellow for taxiway and holding positions, white on red for mandatory instructions, yellow on black for "where you are", and black on yellow for "where to go".
Hold on to one memory hook: white is for the runway, yellow is for everything you taxi on. When a yellow line meets white paint, you are about to enter the runway.
Reading the runway, end to end
Picture yourself on a long final. The standard layout shows what you need, working from the runway end inwards.
Describe this figure
The runway runs up the page and you approach from the bottom. First come the white threshold stripes, which begin 6 m from the threshold. Next is the two-digit runway number, then the centre line made of stripes at least 30 m long. Further along are the aiming point, two large stripes that start 150 m to 400 m from the threshold depending on the landing distance available, and pairs of touchdown zone marks every 150 m. A white side stripe runs along each runway edge.
The figure is a plan view of one runway end, not to scale. It shows the threshold stripes first, then the number, then the centre line, then the aiming point, then pairs of touchdown zone marks, with a side stripe along each edge.
Runway designation. Each threshold carries a two-digit number, and on parallel runways a letter is added. The number is the whole number nearest to one-tenth of the magnetic azimuth of the runway, as seen from the direction of approach. A runway heading 087° magnetic is therefore "09", and a single digit gets a leading zero. The basis of the numbering is taught on page 010-09-01; here you only need to read it.
Parallel runways get letters, read from left to right as seen on approach. Two runways are L and R. Three are L, C and R. Because you read the letters from the approach, the left runway from one end is the right runway from the other.
In the standard layout the number sits beyond the threshold stripes. In an optional layout for non-precision and non-instrument runways 45 m or wider, the number is painted between the threshold stripes instead.
Centre line. A paved runway has a white centre line marking between the designation markings. It is a row of evenly spaced stripes and gaps, each stripe at least 30 m long.
Threshold. The threshold is the beginning of the part of the runway usable for landing. It is marked by a pattern of identical white "piano key" stripes placed symmetrically about the centre line. The stripes begin 6 m from the threshold. The wider the runway, the more stripes: 4 stripes on an 18 m runway, 8 on a 30 m runway, 16 on a 60 m runway.
Aiming point. The aiming point marking is two large white stripes, one on each side of the centre line. It is provided at each approach end of an instrument runway of code number 2, 3 or 4. It shows where your approach path is expected to meet the surface. It starts no closer to the threshold than a distance set by the landing distance available (LDA), from 150 m for an LDA under 800 m to 400 m for 2 400 m or more. On a runway with a PAPI (the visual glide path lights taught on page 010-09-04), it starts at the origin of the visual approach slope instead.
Touchdown zone (TDZ). The touchdown zone is the part of the runway beyond the threshold where landing aeroplanes are meant to first touch down. TDZ marking is provided on a paved precision approach runway of code number 2, 3 or 4. It is pairs of white rectangles, symmetrical about the centre line, placed every 150 m from the threshold. A longer runway gets more pairs, from 1 pair for an LDA under 900 m up to 6 pairs for 2 400 m or more. With "distance coding", the number of stripes per mark changes along the runway, so you can judge how far the zone extends.
Side stripes. Two white stripes run along the runway edges. They are provided where the edge does not contrast with the terrain, and on every precision approach runway.
Where runways cross. The markings of the more important runway are shown and those of the other runway are interrupted. The order of importance is precision approach runway first, then non-precision approach runway, then non-instrument runway.
Where a runway and a taxiway cross, the runway markings are shown and the taxiway markings are interrupted.
Memory hook: white runway paint wins over yellow taxiway paint.
Displaced thresholds
Sometimes the landing part of a runway starts further along than its physical end. That is a displaced threshold: a threshold that is not at the extremity of the runway.
Where the threshold is displaced from the runway end, a white transverse stripe at least 1.80 m wide is added to the threshold marking. It runs across the full runway width, on the approach side of the threshold stripes. On a permanently displaced threshold, arrows pointing toward the threshold are painted along the centre line of the part before it. Each arrow has a 30 m shaft, and arrows are separated by 20 m gaps.
A temporarily displaced threshold may be marked in one of two ways. In both, all markings before the displaced threshold are obscured, except the centre line, which is converted into arrows. One layout is a wide white bar across the runway, with a row of open arrowheads (chevrons) just before it, pointing toward the threshold, and no piano-key stripes. The other follows the permanent layout.
Describe this figure
The left panel shows the bar-and-chevron layout that may mark a temporarily displaced threshold. A white bar crosses the runway, with a row of open arrowheads just before it pointing at the bar, and the old centre line converted into arrows. No piano-key stripes are drawn. The right panel shows a permanently displaced threshold. A transverse stripe at least 1.80 m wide sits on the approach side of the piano-key stripes, and arrows with 30 m shafts and 20 m gaps point at it. In both panels the part beyond the bar or stripe is the landing part, and the arrowed part before it is not for landing.
The figure has two panels. The left panel is the bar-and-chevron layout used for a temporary displacement. The right panel is the permanent layout: a transverse stripe in front of the piano keys, and a line of centre line arrows pointing at it.
What does this mean for you? The threshold is where the landing part begins, so you do not touch down on the arrowed part. The arrowed part is not closed. If the runway before a displaced threshold is unfit for aircraft movement, closed markings are used instead, which page 010-09-06 teaches. Whether you can use the arrowed part for taxiing or take-off is decided by the published declared distances (page 010-09-01), not by the arrows alone. Yellow chevrons before the threshold mean something different, taught on page 010-09-06.
Taxiway markings
The taxiway centre line is a continuous yellow line. It gives continuous guidance from the runway centre line to the aircraft stands. At an exit, it curves into the runway centre line and runs parallel to it for at least 60 m (code number 3 or 4) or 30 m (code number 1 or 2) beyond the point of tangency.
Where a runway is part of a standard taxi route and the taxi path is not on the runway centre line, a yellow taxiway centre line is painted on the runway along that path.
Runway turn pad. The turn pad marking is a continuous yellow line that curves from the runway centre line into the pad, so that an aeroplane can turn 180° and line up again.
Enhanced taxiway centre line. Where provided, it warns you that a runway-holding position, and so a runway, is close. It is a continuous yellow line with a yellow dashed line on each side.
Stopping at the runway: holding positions
This is the most important part of the page. A runway is the one place where an aeroplane moving at speed can meet one that has just wandered on. The holding position is the line between taxiway and runway, and you should never cross it by mistake.
A runway-holding position is a designated position that protects a runway, an obstacle limitation surface or an ILS or MLS critical or sensitive area (the zones that protect instrument landing signals). Taxiing aircraft and vehicles stop and hold there unless the aerodrome control tower authorises otherwise. Holding positions are established at every taxiway and runway intersection, and also where a taxiing aircraft could infringe an obstacle limitation surface or a critical or sensitive area.
At a controlled aerodrome, an aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area stops and holds at every runway-holding position unless the tower has given an explicit clearance to enter or cross the runway.
The marking is painted in yellow, as a taxiway marking. There are two patterns.
Pattern A is four yellow lines across the taxiway with three spaces. The two lines on the holding side, away from the runway, are continuous. The two lines on the runway side are dashed. Pattern A is used where a taxiway meets a non-instrument, non-precision approach or take-off runway, and where a single holding position serves a CAT I, II or III precision approach runway. CAT means the category of precision approach; CAT II and III are the low-visibility ones.
Pattern B, the "ladder", is two continuous yellow lines joined by cross-bars. Where two or three holding positions exist at one intersection, the one closest to the runway is pattern A and those farther away are pattern B.
Describe this figure
Each row shows a taxiway running left to right toward a runway at the right edge, with the taxiway centre line stopping short of the marking. Pattern A has two solid lines on the holding side, away from the runway, and two dashed lines on the runway side. Heading toward the runway you meet the solid pair first and stop unless cleared, and when vacating you meet the dashes first. Pattern B is a ladder of two solid lines joined by cross-bars, used farther from the runway where there are two or three holding positions. The intermediate holding position is a single yellow broken line.
The figure shows three yellow markings across a taxiway, with an arrow pointing toward the runway. Pattern A shows two solid lines on the near side and two dashed lines on the runway side. Pattern B is a ladder of two long lines joined by cross-bars. The intermediate holding position is a single broken line.
Which side am I on? The continuous lines face traffic heading toward the runway. If you meet the solid side first, you stop unless cleared; at a controlled aerodrome that is the requirement above. If you are vacating the runway, you meet the dashed side first and cross it outward.
Runway vacated. When asked, you report "RUNWAY VACATED" only when the entire aircraft is beyond the relevant runway-holding position. Being off the white paint is not enough. The runway vacated sign shows a picture of the pattern A marking (signs are taught on page 010-09-05).
Larger markings. Enhanced, larger holding markings are used where more conspicuity is needed, and at a runway to runway intersection. ICAO's Annex 14 differs here: the larger sizes become the only valid sizes from 26 November 2026, while in the EU text of March 2026 the smaller patterns remain the default.
Runway-holding positions also exist at aerodromes without ATC, where no tower authorisation is possible. There, treat the marking as the edge of the runway's protected area, and stop before it unless you have checked that the runway and its approach are clear.
Intermediate holding position. This is a designated position on a taxiway for traffic control, where you hold until cleared if ATC instructs you to. It is marked by a single yellow broken line across the taxiway. The taxiway centre line stops short of it.
A runway-holding position protects a runway, so you hold unless cleared to enter or cross it. An intermediate holding position is only a traffic-control limit between taxiways, and you hold there when ATC tells you to.
Text on the pavement
When a sign cannot be installed, or when extra warning is wanted, the message is painted on the surface. A mandatory instruction marking is a white inscription on red, used where no mandatory instruction sign is installed. Except for NO ENTRY, it carries the same information as the matching sign, such as a runway designation like "09-27", or "CAT II". A NO ENTRY marking reads "NO ENTRY" in white on red.
It sits on the holding side of the runway-holding position marking, at least 1 m from it. The characters are stretched in height so that they read correctly from a low cockpit viewpoint.
An information marking is painted where no information sign is installed. Yellow on black tells you where you are, for example "you are on taxiway B". Black on yellow tells you where to go. They are placed before and after complex intersections.
Aprons and the VOR checkpoint
On the apron, aircraft stand markings are yellow. A lead-in line guides you to the parking position, a turn bar shows where the turn starts, and a stop line shows the stopping point, both abeam the left pilot seat. Apron safety lines, in a different colour, show where ground vehicles may be.
A VOR aerodrome checkpoint marking is a 6 m circle where the aircraft parks to check its VOR.
Worked examples
Educational content: it does not replace ATO instruction or your aircraft's POH/AFM.
Example 1: reading a runway number. Given: a single runway with a magnetic azimuth of 087° as seen from the approach. Method: divide by 10 and take the nearest whole number. Working: 087 / 10 = 8.7, which rounds to 9. A single digit gets a leading zero. Answer: the marking reads "09".
Example 2: the other end. Given: the runway in Example 1. What is painted at the opposite end? Method: the opposite approach has a magnetic azimuth 180° different. Then apply the same rule. Working: 087 + 180 = 267. 267 / 10 = 26.7, which rounds to 27. Answer: the other end reads "27", so the runway is "09/27".
In the real world
On 7 May 2023 a solo student in a Diamond DA40, VH-ERE, was cleared to taxi to holding point F at Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland, and told to hold short of the runway. The student believed it was an intermediate holding point and crossed it while a Boeing 737 was on final; the 737 went around. The holding point had correct markings, signs and lights. Contributing factors were its distance from the runway, the expectation of a second holding point, and charts that did not show it or placed it wrongly. Afterwards the airport added mandatory instruction markings there.
Before taxiing at an unfamiliar aerodrome, study the ground chart for the holding positions on your route. While taxiing, keep the nose wheel on the yellow centre line and read every marking together with the signs. If a marking, a sign and your clearance disagree, or you are unsure where you are, stop and ask ATC.
On 8 October 2001, in fog, an MD-87 and a Cessna Citation collided on runway 36R at Milano Linate. The Citation crew followed taxiway R6 instead of R5 and entered the active runway. The investigation found worn and non-standard yellow taxiway markings, unofficial "S" markings not shown on the charts, and widespread deficiencies in standard signs and markings. It shows why standard, well-maintained markings, and pilot cross-checking, matter.
Exam traps
"All aerodrome markings are white." Wrong. Runway markings are white, but taxiway, holding position, turn pad and stand markings are yellow.
"A clearance to taxi to the holding point lets me cross it." Wrong. At a controlled aerodrome you need an explicit clearance to enter or cross the runway.
"I have vacated the runway once I am off the white paint." Wrong. You have vacated when the whole aircraft is beyond the runway-holding position.
"Solid or dashed side, I stop either way." Wrong. The solid lines face traffic heading toward the runway. If you are vacating, you cross from the dashed side.
"The arrows before a displaced threshold mean the area is closed." Wrong. They mean you do not land there; the area may still be used according to the declared distances. Closed areas get closed markings instead.
"Runway 09 points exactly at 090°." Wrong. The number is the magnetic azimuth rounded to the nearest 10°.
Explain it back
You are taxiing toward a runway and see a ladder-shaped yellow marking ahead, with a single broken yellow line further back along the taxiway. Explain what each marking means, which one protects the runway, and what you must do at each at a controlled aerodrome.
Self-check
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On final to an instrument runway you see two large white stripes, one on each side of the centre line, well beyond the threshold stripes. What do they show?mcq · easy
Show answer
The aiming point marking is two large white stripes either side of the centre line, and it shows where the approach path is expected to meet the surface. The touchdown zone is shown by pairs of smaller rectangles, not by one pair of large stripes, and it does not mark the end of the runway. Side stripes run along the runway edges. The start of the landing part is the threshold, shown by the piano-key stripes.
Reference: CS ADR-DSN.L.540(a)
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On final you see a white transverse stripe across the runway, with arrows pointing toward it along the centre line behind it. What does this mean for your landing?mcq · medium
Show answer
The transverse stripe and arrows mark a displaced threshold, and the threshold is where the landing part begins. The arrowed part is not closed, because closed areas get closed markings, and its use for taxiing or take-off depends on the declared distances. The runway does not end at the stripe. The aiming point lies beyond the threshold, not before it.
Reference: CS ADR-DSN.L.535(c)
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A single runway has a magnetic azimuth of 087° seen from the end marked "09". What is painted at the opposite end?mcq · medium
Show answer
The opposite approach is 087 + 180 = 267°, which divided by 10 and rounded gives 27. Option 07 and option 17 do not match any azimuth that this runway can have at its other end, because they are far from 267°. Option 36 would be a northerly runway.
Reference: CS ADR-DSN.L.525(c)(1)
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At a towered aerodrome, CS-ABC is cleared to taxi to holding point F for runway 27. At the holding position the pilot meets two continuous yellow lines first, then two dashed lines, and the runway looks clear. What should the pilot do?mcq · medium
Show answer
This is a pattern A marking approached from the holding side, so the continuous lines come first and the aircraft must hold unless the tower explicitly clears it to enter or cross. A taxi clearance to a holding point is not a clearance to cross. An intermediate holding position is a single broken line, not four lines. Holding does not depend on traffic being visible.
Reference: CS ADR-DSN.L.575(a); SERA.3210(d)(2)
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After landing on runway 27, CS-ABC is asked to report when vacated. The nose wheel has crossed the pattern A marking, but the main wheels are still between its dashed lines and the runway. What is correct?mcq · hard
Show answer
The report is made only when the entire aircraft is beyond the relevant runway-holding position. A nose wheel that has crossed is not enough, and neither is being off the white paint or on the yellow centre line, because the main wheels are still on the runway side of the marking.
Reference: AMC1 SERA.14001, Appendix 1, 1.4.9 Note
Key concepts
Written with ASD-STE100 writing principles: short sentences, one topic per sentence, active voice, one word for one meaning.
Colour code
Runway markings are white, and taxiway, runway turn pad, aircraft stand and runway-holding position markings are yellow. Mandatory instruction markings are white on red. Information markings are yellow on black or black on yellow.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.520
Runway-holding position
At a controlled aerodrome, an aircraft stops at every runway-holding position on the taxiway. The aircraft waits there until the tower gives an explicit clearance to enter or cross the runway.
Rule: SERA.3210(d)(2)
Do: Stop at the runway-holding position until the tower clears you.
Do not: Enter or cross the runway without an explicit clearance.
Pattern A and pattern B
A pattern A marking has four lines. The two lines on the side away from the runway are continuous, and the two lines on the runway side are dashed. An aircraft that meets the continuous lines first stops unless it has a clearance. Where two or three holding positions share one intersection, the closest uses pattern A and the farther ones use pattern B.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.575(a)
Intermediate holding position
An intermediate holding position is a traffic limit on a taxiway, not a protection for a runway. Its marking is a single yellow broken line across the taxiway. Hold at the line until ATC instructs you to proceed.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.580
Displaced threshold
A displaced threshold has a white transverse stripe at least 1.80 m wide across the runway. A permanently displaced threshold also has arrows on the centre line before it. You do not touch down before the displaced threshold.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.535(c)
Landing markings
A threshold marking has stripes whose number depends on runway width, for example 8 stripes on a 30 m wide runway. The aiming point marking starts no closer to the threshold than a distance of 150 m to 400 m, set by the landing distance available. Touchdown zone markings are pairs placed every 150 m from the threshold.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.535, CS ADR-DSN.L.540
Mandatory and information markings
A mandatory instruction marking is a white inscription on a red background, used where no mandatory sign is installed. An information marking is yellow on black for a location, or black on yellow for a direction.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.605, CS ADR-DSN.L.610
Markings at intersections
Where two runways cross, the markings of the more important runway are shown and the other runway's markings are interrupted. Where a runway and a taxiway cross, the runway markings are shown and the taxiway markings are interrupted. Visually, white runway markings take priority over yellow taxiway markings.
Rule: CS ADR-DSN.L.560
Flashcards
Print them: A6 landscape cards (PDF, front and back) · 4 cards per A4 landscape sheet (PDF, cut lines) · Key figures deck (PDF, 24 figures)
Print double-sided, flip on the short edge.
010-09-03-01What colour are runway markings?
White.
010-09-03-02What colour are taxiway, runway turn pad, aircraft stand and runway-holding position markings?
Yellow.
010-09-03-03What colour is a mandatory instruction marking?
White inscription on a red background.
010-09-03-04What colour is an information marking that shows a location?
Yellow inscription on a black background.
010-09-03-05What colour is an information marking that shows a direction?
Black inscription on a yellow background.
010-09-03-06At a controlled aerodrome, where does an aircraft stop before a runway?
At every runway-holding position, until the tower gives an explicit clearance to enter or cross the runway.
010-09-03-07Which lines of a pattern A marking are continuous?
The two lines on the side away from the runway. The two lines on the runway side are dashed.
010-09-03-08What does an aircraft do at the continuous lines of a pattern A marking?
It stops, unless it has a clearance to cross.
010-09-03-09Where two or three holding positions share one intersection, which one is pattern A?
The position closest to the runway. The farther positions use pattern B.
010-09-03-10What is an intermediate holding position?
A traffic limit on a taxiway. It does not protect a runway.
010-09-03-11At an intermediate holding position, when does an aircraft proceed?
When the ATC unit instructs it to proceed.
010-09-03-12What does the transverse stripe of a displaced threshold look like?
A white stripe at least 1.80 m wide, across the runway.
010-09-03-13Where are the arrows of a permanently displaced threshold?
On the centre line, before the threshold.
010-09-03-14What marks a temporarily displaced threshold?
A white transverse bar, and a row of arrowheads (chevrons) before it, pointing toward the threshold.
010-09-03-15Can you touch down before a displaced threshold?
No. Do not touch down before the displaced threshold.
010-09-03-16How many threshold stripes does a 30 m wide runway have?
8 stripes.
010-09-03-17How far from the threshold do the threshold stripes begin?
6 m.
010-09-03-18How close to the threshold can the aiming point marking start when the LDA is less than 800 m?
No closer than 150 m.
010-09-03-19How close to the threshold can the aiming point marking start when the LDA is 2 400 m or more?
No closer than 400 m.
010-09-03-20How far apart are the touchdown zone marking pairs, measured from the threshold?
Every 150 m.
010-09-03-21How many touchdown zone marking pairs does an LDA less than 900 m have?
1 pair.
010-09-03-22What sets the distance at which the aiming point marking starts?
The landing distance available (LDA). With a PAPI, it starts at the origin of the visual approach slope instead.
010-09-03-23Where a runway and a taxiway cross, whose markings are shown?
The runway markings. The taxiway markings are interrupted.
010-09-03-24Where is a mandatory instruction marking used?
Where no mandatory instruction sign is installed.
010-09-03-25What does a runway-holding position protect?
The runway. Aircraft and vehicles stop there until the tower clears them.
010-09-03-26What marks an intermediate holding position?
A single yellow broken line across the taxiway.
010-09-03-27Where two runways cross, whose markings are shown?
The more important runway: precision, then non-precision, then non-instrument. The other runway's markings are interrupted.
010-09-03-28What does a runway turn pad marking guide?
A 180 degree turn. It is a yellow line that curves from the runway centre line into the turn pad.
Sources
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aerodromes, Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 including CS ADR-DSN Issue 7, Easy Access Rules, March 2026
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (Basic Regulation), Article 2, EUR-Lex consolidated text of 02.08.2026
- ICAO Annex 14 Volume I, Aerodrome Design and Operations, 9th edition, July 2022, consolidated (pages to 27/11/25)
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA), Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, August 2025
- ATSB, final report AO-2023-023, Runway incursion involving Diamond DA40 VH-ERE, Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland, 7 May 2023 (released 27 October 2023): https://atsb.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-10/AO-2023-023%20Final.pdf
- ANSV (Italy), final report A/1/04, collision between MD-87 and Cessna Citation, Milano Linate, 8 October 2001 (approved 20 January 2004), copy hosted by SKYbrary: https://skybrary.aero/sites/default/files/bookshelf/480.pdf
This page is educational. It does not replace instruction at your ATO or your aircraft's POH/AFM. Rules change: check the regulation in force.