Airport Facilities Flashcards
Where can a pilot find information concerning facilities available for a particular airport?
The A/FD (now chart supplement)
What is ALS? What are some examples?
Approach light system. Extends from threshold into approach area 2400-3000 feet for precision approaches and 1400-1500 for non-precision approaches.
- ODALS - Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System (1500 ft)
- MALSR - Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (2400 ft)
- ALSF-1 - Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing lights Cat 1
- ALSF-2 - Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashing lights Cat 2
A dot with the identifier indicates sequenced flashing lights; negative symbology (dark) indicates pilot-controlled lighting
What is a VASI?
Visual Approach Slope Indicator
Typically a 2-bar system (can be 3) that provides obstruction clearance w/in 10° of the extended runway centerline up to 4NM from the threshold.
What is a PAPI?
Precision Approach Path Indicator
Typically 4 lights horizontally aligned on the left side of the runway
REIL
Runway End Identifier Lights
What color are runway edge lights
White, except on instrument runways, yellow replaces white on the last 2000 feet or half the runway length, which ever is less, to form a caution zone for landings
What are the colors of a lighted land airport rotating beacon?
White/green
What colors are used for a lighted water airport rotating beacon?
White/yellow
What are the colors used for a military airport rotating beacon?
2 white/green
What does the operation of a rotating beacon at an airport within Class D airspace during daylight hours mean?
Indicates that the ground visibility is less than 3 miles and or the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.
What are runway touchdown zone markings?
Touchdown zone markings identify the touchdown zone for landing operations that are coded to provide distance information in 500 foot increments. These markings consist of groups of one, two, and three rectangular bars symmetrically arranged in pairs about the runway centerline. Normally, the standard glide slope angle of 3 degrees, if flown to the surface, will ensure touchdown within this zone.
What is the purpose of runway aiming point markings?
Serves as a visual aiming point for a landing aircraft. The pilot can estimate a visual glide path that will intersect the markings ensuring a landing within the 3,000 foot touchdown zone.
How far down a runway does the touchdown zone extend?
The touchdown zone is the first 3000 feet of the runway beginning at the threshold. The area is used for determination of touchdown zone elevation in the development of straight in landing minimums for instrument approaches.
Define RWSL.
Runway Status Light System - a system that provides runway status to pilots and surface vehicle operators to indicate clearly when it is unsafe to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway.
Does illumination of RWSL give a pilot permission to enter cross or takeoff from a runway?
RWSL is an independent safety enhancement that does not substitute for ATC clearance. Clearance to enter, cross, or takeoff from a runway must be issued by ATC. ATC personnel do not directly use and may not be able to view light fixture output in their operations even though ATC has limited control over the system.
