Aerodromes

Aerodromes: ICAO Annex 14 essentials for ATPL students

Aerodrome knowledge sits at the core of Air Law for ATPL candidates, tying aviation regulations to everyday operations on the ground and in the approach environment. Under ICAO Annex 14, aerodromes are designed, marked, and lit to common standards to support both visual and instrument procedures. Runway designations follow magnetic orientation, and on aerodromes with parallel runways, the numbers are supplemented with letters to show lateral position—L and R for two parallels in sequence from left to right. Traffic direction indicators (such as a right-hand arrow) signal that turns are to be made to the right before landing and after take-off. Operationally, an aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area must give way to aircraft taking off or about to take off, and controllers apply wake turbulence separation minima—particularly relevant when a heavier aircraft conducts a low or missed approach with lighter aircraft landing opposite direction or on a parallel runway separated by less than 760 m.

The Aerodrome Reference Code links runway and taxiway geometry to aircraft size and performance. Code element 2 identifies the wing span and outer main gear wheel span, ensuring obstacle clearance and pavement suitability. For example, a Code 4 runway has a minimum width of 45 m, accommodating larger transport-category aircraft. Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) category is determined by the overall length of the longest aeroplane normally using the aerodrome and its maximum fuselage width, aligning emergency capability with aircraft risk profile. Standardized aerodrome signs aid situational awareness: information signs feature a yellow or black background with black or yellow inscriptions. Aeronautical ground lights may be turned off to conserve life and energy, provided they can be restored at least one hour before an aircraft is expected to arrive.

Instrument flight operations rely on precise visual aids. Non-precision and precision approach runways (CAT I, II, III) are classified as instrument runways and carry progressively demanding approach lighting systems. A CAT II runway typically provides 900 m of approach lighting. The classic CAT I “Calvert” system features five crossbars and a centreline of light units with 3, 2, and 1 lamps per unit; its centreline and crossbar lights are fixed, variable-intensity white. Additional aids include the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator), a wing bar of four sharp-transition units giving glidepath guidance, and “barrettes”—three or more closely spaced ground lights appearing as a single bar. Runway threshold identification lights are flashing white, and runway edge lights are fixed lights showing variable white. Where the threshold is displaced, lights between the runway beginning and the displaced threshold show red in the approach direction. In reduced-visibility environments, runway lead-in lights—groups of at least three white lights—flash in sequence towards the runway to assist alignment.

What this Aerodromes question bank covers

• Runway identification: numbering, L/R for parallel runways, traffic direction indicators
• Aerodrome Reference Code: code element 2 (wing span and main gear span), runway widths
• Instrument runway classifications: non-precision vs. CAT I/II/III precision approaches
• Lighting systems: approach (CAT I “Calvert”, CAT II length), centreline/crossbars, threshold identification lights, runway edge/lead-in lights, PAPI, barrettes, displaced threshold lighting
• Ground operations and procedures: taxiway right-of-way, wake turbulence separation nuances for opposite/parallel operations
• Aerodrome signage and visual aids: information sign colours and configurations
• Rescue and Fire Fighting categories: basis on aircraft length and fuselage width
• Operational policies: switching aeronautical ground lights off/on within regulatory time limits

Mastering these standards and procedures helps pilots interpret lighting, markings, and signs consistently worldwide, bridging aircraft systems, instrument flight procedures, and regulatory compliance for safer aerodrome operations.