What are no-entry signs?
A white bar in a circle on red, the same symbol as a road no-entry sign. It marks the start of an area on the airfield that a pilot must not enter from where they are.
A no-entry sign is a mandatory instruction sign, which makes it the airfield's equivalent of a road no-entry sign. It does not name a runway or a place. It says one thing: this way is closed to you. It guards an area that looks open but must not be entered from this direction.
1What it looks like
The sign is a white horizontal bar inside a circle on a red background. It uses the red of the other mandatory instruction signs, so it is read as an instruction to stop, and it needs no wording, so it can be understood at a glance in any language.
2Where it stands
It is placed at the beginning of the area where entry is prohibited, on each side of the taxiway as the pilot sees it, and it faces the direction from which entry would be made. A pilot is therefore warned before reaching the area, not inside it.
3When it is used
Typical uses are a one-way taxiway, where one end must not be entered, and a vehicle road that meets an aircraft movement area and could be mistaken for a taxiway. The sign stops a wrong turn that the pavement alone would not prevent.
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| Colour and symbol | White horizontal bar inside a circle, on a red background |
| Class | Mandatory instruction sign: must be obeyed |
| Position | At the beginning of the area where entry is prohibited, on each side of the taxiway as the pilot sees it |
| Faces | The direction from which entry would be made |
| Typical uses | One-way taxiways, and roads that could be mistaken for a taxiway |
| Meaning | Do not enter the area beyond the sign from this direction |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a no-entry sign?
A mandatory instruction sign showing a white horizontal bar inside a circle on a red background. It marks the beginning of an area that an aircraft or vehicle must not enter.
Q2Where is a no-entry sign placed?
At the beginning of the area where entry is prohibited, on each side of the taxiway as the pilot sees it, facing the direction from which entry would be made.
Q3When is a no-entry sign used?
Typically on a taxiway meant to be used in one direction only, or where a vehicle road meets a movement area and could be mistaken for a taxiway.
Q4Is a no-entry sign the same as a holding-position sign?
No. A holding-position sign means stop and wait for clearance at a defined point, such as a runway. A no-entry sign marks an area that is closed to entry from that direction. If unsure, ask air traffic control.
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