Air Law Aerodromes

Sep 2012Lesson 3.1

Air Law

Aerodromes

Reference

From the Ground UpChapter 4.1:AerodromesPages 89 - 98

Introduction• Aerodromes and their aircraft

manoeuvring areas are important to know when operating an aircraft on and around them.

• It is important to know and understand the use of all markings and lighting when flying and taxiing.

Outline• Definitions• Runway Numbering• Aerodrome Markings• Wind Indicators• Aerodrome Lighting• Radio Terms• Light Signals

Definitions• Aerodrome - Any area of land or water designed for the arrival,

departure, movement and servicing of aircraft

• Airport - Any aerodrome in which a certificate is in force

• Movement Area - Areas used for surface movement of aircraft, including maneuvering areas and aprons

• Maneuvering Area - Areas used for taking off, landing and aircraft taxiing, including runways and taxiways

• Apron (AKA Ramp) - Area for loading/unloading, refueling, servicing and parking aircraft

Runway Numbering• Runway number:

1. Magnetic bearing2. Round to nearest 10°3. Omit last digit4. Add L, C or R if more than one parallel runway (left, centre

or right)

• Example:– Runway pointing 18° = Rwy 02– Parallel runways pointing 151° = Rwy 15L and Rwy 15R

• Other end of runway is reciprocal number (+ or - 18)

Runway Numbering0°

360°

180°

90°270°

05

2345° magnetic bearing

225° magnetic bearing

Runway Numbering0°

360°

180°

90°270°

36L

18R

36R

18L

Runway Markings

Runway Markings

09

Runway CentrelineWhite lines in middle of runway

ThresholdWhite line across end of runway

Displaced ThresholdArrows on pavement before thresholdArea not to be used for landing

Taxiway Markings

09

Taxiway CenterlineYellow line in middle of taxiwayAircraft centre themselves on line

Hold LinesYellow lines across taxiwayAircraft must “hold short” at line unlesscleared to cross

Unserviceable Areas

09

Aircraft not to use unserviceable areas

Large white or yellow “X”s on both endsof and along runway or taxiway

Red flags or flashing red lights may mark unserviceableareas that can be passed with caution

Wind Indicators• Wind Sock

– Points away from wind– Straight = 15 kts or more– 30° down = 6 kts– Fluctuating = Gusty

• Tetrahedron (or Wind T)– Points into wind– Does not show wind

speed

Aerodrome Lighting

Runway Threshold - Green

Runway End - Red

Runway Edges - White

Taxiway Edges - Blue

Obstructions/building/towersSteady or flashing red lights or white strobe lights

Approach Lights

VASIS

Below approach slope

Correct approach slope

Above approach slope

VASIS = Visual Approach Slope Indicator System

All Red All White

PAPI

PAPIPAPI = Precision Approach Path Indicator

Correct approach

LowSlightly low

Slightly high

High

All Red All White

Circuit

09 27

Crosswind Leg

Downwind Leg

Base Leg

Final Leg

Crosswind Leg

Upwind Side

Enter here

Enter here

Left turns = Left-hand circuit(default aerodrome circuit)

Radio Terms

Radio Terms• NORDO (No Radio)

– Aircraft not capable of communicating over radio– Either no radio or radio malfunction

• RONLY (receive only)– Aircraft can only receive radio, but not transmit– Aircraft may confirm messages through visual

signals (such as rocking wings)

Light Signals

Ground Light Signals• Flashing Green Light Cleared to taxi

• Steady Green Light Cleared for take-off

• Flashing Red Light Taxi clear of runway in use

• Steady Red Light Stop

• Flashing White Light Return to starting point on airport

• Blinking Runway Lights Vacate runway immediately

Air Light Signals• Steady Green Light Clear to land

• Steady Red Light Do not land, continue in circuit(or Red Flare)

• Flashing Green Light Return for landing

• Alternating Red and Danger, be on alertGreen Light (US)

• Flashing Red Light Airport unsafe, do not land

• Red Pyrotechnical Light Do not land for the time being

Next Lesson

3.2 – Air LawAirspace

From the Ground UpChapter 4.2:The Canadian Airspace SystemPages 98 - 105