Objective of This Unit is To:

Discuss the major elements involved in

Elements of Airport Design
„

planning for and the arrangement of

airfield facilities

Harry P. Wolfe

1/30/2003 Airport Design 1 1/30/2003 Airport Design 2

Topics to be Covered Topics to be Covered

„ Runway
„ Taxiways
„ Orientation „ Types
„ Length
„ Dimensions
„ Other dimensions „ Aprons
„ Protection „ Functions
„ Declared distances „ Size
„ Pavement „ Navigation aids
„ Markings „ Separation standards
„ Lighting
1/30/2003 Airport Design 3 1/30/2003 Airport Design 4

Runway Orientation:
Objectives of This Unit Runway Orientation Topics
„ Explain the factors that influence „ Principal determinant of runway
runway orientation orientation
„ Other determinants of runway
„ Demonstrate how to read and use a orientation
wind rose to determine runway „ FAA standards for determining the need
orientation for and length of xwind runways
„ Using the wind rose

1/30/2003 Airport Design 5 1/30/2003 Airport Design 6

Runway Orientation 1
 Principal Determinant of Crosswind Capabilities by
Runway Orientation Airport Reference Code
„ Direction of prevailing winds

„ Runway orientation is designated by the

magnetic bearing on the runway (i.e.
9/27 is an east-west runway)

1/30/2003 Airport Design 7 1/30/2003 Airport Design 8

Other Determinants of FAA Standards for Crosswind

Runway Orientation Runway
„ Obstructions „ Crosswind runways justified when
existing runway provides less than 95%
„ Airspace constraints crosswind coverage

„ Nearby airports „ The length of the crosswind runway is

generally 80% of the length of the
primary runway
„ Noise impacts
1/30/2003 Airport Design 9 1/30/2003 Airport Design 10

Using the Wind Rose: Using the Wind Rose:

Background
„ Obtain historical wind data from
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
„ Gather historical wind data for 3-10
year period.
„ Wind data expressed in terms of true
north
Overview
„ Concentric circles – limits between wind
speed groups
„ Segments enclosed by radial lines and
concentric circles: wind speed directions
„ Best orientation is that which minimizes
crosswinds greater than 12 mph

1/30/2003 Airport Design 11 1/30/2003 Airport Design 12

Runway Orientation 2
 Using the Wind Rose: the
Template
„ Superimpose over the wind rose
„ Width = diameter of 12 mph concentric
circle
„ Has three parallel and equally spaced
lines.
„ Has a midpoint
„ Ends intercept runway designations

1/30/2003 Airport Design 13 1/30/2003 Airport Design 14

The Runway Length The Runway Length

„ Length of runway for
„ Ultralights – less than 30 kt approach speed
„ Small utility aircraft – 30 kts to 50 kts
„ Small aircraft less than 10 passengers
„ Small aircraft 10 passengers or more
„ Large aircraft from 12,500 to 60,000 lbs gross
weight
„ Large aircraft above 60,000 pounds
„ Ultralights – less than 30 kt approach speed
„ 300 feet at Sea Level; increased by 30’ for every
1,000 feet elevation increase
„ Small utility aircraft – 30 kts to 50 kts
„ 800 feet at Sea Level increased by 10% for every
1,000 feet elevation above sea level
„ Small aircraft less than 10 passengers
„ See table on next page

1/30/2003 Airport Design 15 1/30/2003 Airport Design 16

The Runway Length – Small AC

„ Small aircraft with more than 10 passengers
„ See Table in handouts 800 feet at Sea Level
increased by 10% for every 1,000 feet elevation
above sea level
„ Small aircraft less than 10 passengers
„ See table on next page
„ Small aircraft more than 10 passengers
„ See table on next page

1/30/2003 Airport Design 17 1/30/2003 Airport Design 18

Runway Orientation 3
 The Runway Length - Large AC
„ Aircraft 12,500 lbs to 60,000 lbs
„ 60% useful load
„ 90% useful load
„ Aircraft above 60,000 lbs
„ Runway surface
„ Flap settings
„ Payload

1/30/2003 Airport Design 19 1/30/2003 Airport Design 20

1/30/2003 Airport Design 21 1/30/2003 Airport Design 22

1/30/2003 Airport Design 23 1/30/2003 Airport Design 24

Runway Orientation 4
 Conventional Design Standards Declared Distances
„ Take-Off Run Available TORA
„ Length of runway available for take-off from start

Build runway of length based on FAA of take-off to stop end of runway

Take-Off Distance Available TODA
standards with safety areas on each end „

„ Length of runway available for take-off plus the

and clear approaches length of the clearway
„ Clearway – area beyond rwy end suitable for use

in lieu of rway to satisfy take-off distance

requirements
Where not possible, get FAA approval for
Declared Distances
1/30/2003 Airport Design 25 1/30/2003 Airport Design 26

Declared Distances
„ Accelerated Stop Distance Available -
ASDA
„ Distance from start of takeoff to stop end
of the runway plus length of stopway
„ Stopway – defined rectangular surface
beyond end of rwy suitable for use in lieu
of runway to support an airplane without
causing damage to airplane during an
aborted takeoff (chap 1, page 3

1/30/2003 Airport Design 27 1/30/2003 Airport Design 28

Declared Distances
„ Landing Distance Available (LDA)
„ Length of runway available for landing.
Distance from threshold to stop end of
runway

1/30/2003 Airport Design 29 1/30/2003 Airport Design 30

Runway Orientation 5
 Runway (continued)
ƒ Width of runway function of
ƒ Approach and visibility
ƒ Airplane Design Group (wing span)
ƒ Width of runway comprised of
ƒ Structural pavement
ƒ Shoulders
ƒ Runway Safety Area (RSA)
ƒ See tables in AC 5300-13 for determining
widths of pavement, shoulders and RSA

1/30/2003 Airport Design 31 1/30/2003 Airport Design 32

1/30/2003 Airport Design 33 1/30/2003 Airport Design 34

1/30/2003 Airport Design 35 1/30/2003 Airport Design 36

Runway Orientation 6
 Protecting the Runway
ƒ Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) formerly
Clear Zone
ƒ Runway Safety Area (RSA)
ƒ Runway Approach Zone

1/30/2003 Airport Design 37 1/30/2003 Airport Design 38

Airport Pavements Airport Marking

„ Purpose „ Purpose
„ Components „ Runway – white paint
„ Surface „ Visual – centerline, magnetic bearing
„ Base „ Non-precision – above +threshold and fixed
„ Subbase distance marker
„ Design principles „ Precision – above + distance markers and sideline
bar
„ Pavement type and thickness dictates strength
„ Crown to facilitate run-off „ Taxiways – yellow paint
„ Thicker at ends and center „ Hold line
„ Maintenance essential to prolong life „ Centerline

1/30/2003 Airport Design 39 1/30/2003 Airport Design 40

Airport Marking (cont.)

„ Special Markings
„ Displaced threshold - arrows
„ Closed runway – x’s
„ Weak pavement - Chevrons
„ Elements of design
„ Paint - FAA specs/reflective quality
„ Markings – standard dimensions and
separations

1/30/2003 Airport Design 41 1/30/2003 Airport Design 42

Runway Orientation 7
 1/30/2003 Airport Design 43

Airport Lighting (cont.)

„ For finding airport - Beacon
„ For finding runway end
„ Runway End Identifier Lights
„ Threshold lights
„ For providing VFR glide slope – VASI/PAPI
„ For providing IFR glide slop
„ High Intensity Approach Lighting System
„ Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System
„ For facilitating identification of runway
„ Edge lights
„ Centerline and Touchdown zone lights
1/30/2003 Airport Design 46

Airport Lighting (cont.) Taxiways

„ For taxiways ƒ Purposes –
„ Edge lighting – blue ƒ Connect runway to terminal area, apron, hangars
„ Centerline – green ƒ Separate taxiing aircraft from those using runway

„ For apron – flood lights ƒ Principles

ƒ Minimize taxiing distances
„ Design considerations ƒ Avoid crossing runways
„ Placement and arrangement ƒ Vacate runway quickly
„ Intensity

1/30/2003 Airport Design 47 1/30/2003 Airport Design 48

Runway Orientation 8
 Aprons Navigation Aids
ƒ Definition ƒ Visual Guidance – VASI/PAPI
ƒ Functions handled on apron ƒ Non-precision – left or right of centerline
ƒ Fixed Based Operators ƒ Non-directional Beacon (NDB)
ƒ Parking transient airplanes ƒ VOR with/without DME
ƒ Parking based airplanes ƒ Localizer
ƒ Loading and unloading passengers ƒ Precision
ƒ Fueling ƒ ILS (Cat I,II,III)/Approach lighting
ƒ Size of apron ƒ Radar/Tower
ƒ 360 square yards per transient aircraft ƒ Other – Airport Surface Detection Equipment, etc.
ƒ 300 square yards per based aircraft ƒ Justification
ƒ Hangar types and arrangement on apron ƒ Placement and Arrangement
1/30/2003 Airport Design 49 1/30/2003 Airport Design 50

Airfield Separation Standards

ƒ For runway separation – function of
instrument use and impacted by threshold
stagger
ƒ VFR simultaneous arrivals – 700 feet
ƒ IFR simultaneous arrivals – 4300 feet down
to 3000 feet with right equipment
ƒ Runway/taxiway/apron
ƒ Function of wingspan and/or instrument
conditions
ƒ Standards specified in AC 5300-13
1/30/2003 Airport Design 51 1/30/2003 Airport Design 52

1/30/2003 Airport Design 53

Runway Orientation 9