Taxiway sign
Signs on taxiways and runways of airfields (ger .: taxiway guidance sign ) are used to inform and guide the pilot of a rolling aircraft . They perform a similar task as traffic signs in road traffic and the commissioning of signage at airports, like these, requires official approval.
In Germany, the terms signs or signposts are also used for signage at airports . The term taxiway sign, which is common in Austria, is laid down in the Austrian Civil Airfield Ordinance ZFV.
execution
Airport signs have a rectangular display board. They must be equipped with predetermined breaking points so that no serious damage occurs to the aircraft in the event of a collision with aircraft. If night flight operations are possible at the airport , the signs are usually to be illuminated from the inside. At smaller airfields, where only visual flight rules are flown, it is also possible to light them from the outside. In this case, the signs must be labeled with retroreflective material. In Germany, the font " Highway Gothic D" is to be used for letters and numbers . The labeling is generally fixed, but variable display is also possible.
Type of signage
Prohibition and mandatory signs
Prohibition signs (English: Mandatory instruction signs ) indicate areas that may not be entered without the prior consent of air traffic control . They have white lettering on a red background.
Notice signs
Information signs serve primarily as orientation for the pilot. They contain information on the current location and the location and direction of various facilities on the airfield. Location signs (ger .: Location signs ) are signs with yellow text on a black background, target character (ger .: destination signs ) are (that is black on yellow) is inversely labeled.
VOR aerodrome checkpoints
If a VOR radio beacon is installed at an airfield , this must be identified with a sign with black lettering on a yellow background. The sign shows the frequency and bearing of the VOR as well as the distance to a DME (Distance measuring equipment).
Norms
International regulations for signage at airports can be found in Annexes (Engl. Annex ) to the Chicago Convention . For Germany, the “Common Principles of the Federation and the States on Signs and Signs for Taxiing at Airfields with Instrument Air Traffic” must be taken into account. In Austria, the “Civil Airfield Ordinance ZFV” applies in this regard. The size, nature, location and content of the signs are regulated.
literature
- Robert Horonjeff, Francis X. McKelvey: Planning and Design of Airports (English), McGraw-Hill, 1994, ISBN 978-0070453456
Web links
- Common principles of the federal and state governments on signs and signs for taxiing at airfields with instrument flight traffic on the homepage of the German Federal Government
- Civil Airfield Ordinance - ZFV in the RIS ( Legal Information System of the Republic of Austria )