Airport Layout
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A Runway is the area where an aircraft lands or takes off. It can be grass, or packed dirt, or a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete. Runways have special markings on them to help a pilot in the air to tell that it is a runway (and not a road) and to help then when they are landing or taking off. Runway markings are
white Most runways have numbers on the end. The number is the runway’s compass direction. (For example, runway numbered 36 would be pointing north or 360 degrees). Some airports have more than one runway going in the same direction, so they add letters to the end of the number R for right, C for center, and L for left.
The other end of the runway is pointing in the opposite direction, so it gets a different number. The runway called 36 would be called 18(for 180 degrees) if you were looking at it from the other end Runways may have other markings besides the end number on them. They may have white stripes down the middle of them, and solid white on the edges. The most important thing for you to remember about a runway is that it is meant for aircraft use, so you should never drive you vehicle on it, unless you are authorized to do so.
Also known as airport terminal, these buildings are the spaces where passengers board or alight from flights. These buildings house all necessary facilities for passengers to check-in their luggage, clear the customs and have lounges to wait before disembarking. The terminals can house cafes, lounges and bars to serve as waiting areas for passengers. Ticket counters, luggage check-in or transfer, security checks and customs are the basics of all airport terminals. Large airports can have more than one terminal that are connected to one another through link ways such as walkways, skybridges or trams. Smaller airports usually have only one terminal that houses all the required facilities.
Aircraft aprons are the area where the aircraft park. Aprons are also sometimes called ramps. They vary in size, from areas that may hold five or ten small planes, to the very large areas that the major airports have. Unlike the runways or taxiways, vehicle can use aprons. Your work may require you to drive on an apron. If so, be very careful in these areas. Watch out for aircraft that are moving and yield the right of way to them. Don’t assume the pilot will see you and stop – he or she may be busy with other things like radio communication or checking the aircraft instruments.
Every year there are many accidents involving vehicles and aircraft that results in property damage, personal injury, and in some cases, death. Don t let this happen to you! Your airport Executive Director has established rules for driving a vehicle on the airport – get a copy and read and obey them. The rules are there for your safety as well as the safety as well as the safety of the aircraft pilot and passengers
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangers, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass.
A portion of an apron designated as a taxiway and intended to provide access to aircraft stands only
A portion of an apron designated as a taxiway and intended to provide access to aircraft stands only
A tower at an airfield from which air traffic is controlled by radio and observe physically
Parking is a specific area of an airport at which vehicles parks