What are runway designation signs?
Red background, white inscription, the number of the runway ahead — the sign beside the taxiway that tells a pilot or driver exactly which runway they are about to enter, and that they must hold until cleared.
A runway designation sign is a mandatory instruction sign — a white inscription on a red background. Its inscription is the designation of the runway being entered, oriented to match the view from the approaching taxiway. It is provided at a taxiway/runway or runway/runway intersection, where it supplements the Pattern A runway-holding position marking painted across the taxiway.
It stands on each side of the runway-holding position marking, facing the direction of approach to the runway. Where it is installed near a runway extremity it may show only the designation of that runway end. A yellow-on-black location sign can be added in the outboard position, farthest from the taxiway, to confirm where the aircraft is. As with every mandatory instruction sign, nothing may pass it without authorisation from the aerodrome control tower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a runway designation sign?
A mandatory instruction sign with a white inscription on a red background that shows the designation of the runway ahead. It is provided at a taxiway/runway or runway/runway intersection to supplement the runway-holding position marking.
Q2Where is a runway designation sign placed?
On each side of the runway-holding position marking, facing the direction of approach to the runway, so a crew or driver approaching the holding position can read it from either side of the taxiway.
Q3Why are the runway numbers shown in a particular order?
Annex 14 requires the inscription to be properly oriented with respect to the viewing position of the sign. In practice the designations are arranged to match the runway ends as the approaching aircraft sees them. A sign installed near a runway extremity may show only the designation of that end.
Q4Is a runway designation sign the same as a runway-holding position sign?
Not in ICAO terms. The runway designation sign names the runway being entered. ICAO's runway-holding position sign instead carries a taxiway designator and a number, and marks holding positions set to protect an obstacle limitation surface or radio-navigation area. The FAA's runway holding position sign, which shows the runway designation, corresponds to the ICAO runway designation sign.
Q5Can I proceed past a runway designation sign without clearance?
No. Like every mandatory instruction sign, it marks a location beyond which an aircraft or vehicle must not proceed unless authorised by the aerodrome control tower.
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