Airport Configurations

The configuration of an airport is a comprehensive arrangement that includes the

relative layout of its component parts, such as the runway-taxiway-terminal
arrangement. Also airport configuration refers to the specific layout or design of runways
at an airport and the operational protocols for their use, including the combination of
runways used for arrivals and departures and the direction of flow on those runways.
The significance of airport configuration lies in its direct impact on airport efficiency,
safety, and the management of air traffic. It is necessary to have an alternative airport
configuration in which aircraft use flight paths that are not as common but well-known
and normal. Usually, in airports with one runway or two parallel runways, alternative
configuration involves switching the roles of the runways thereby creating two different
operational modes. In other words, the runway primarily used for take-offs is used for
landings and vice versa. These tracks are not for emergencies (which sometimes exist)
or unexpected situations – they are normal flight paths with significant but minor use
(1% - 30%).

The airport combines three main factors (safety, environmental and capacity) to
establish a preferred configuration and one or more non-preferred configuration.

Significance of Airport Configuration

In aviation, ensuring an optimal airport configuration is essential for maintaining the

smooth operation of the airport itself and the national airspace network. Configurations
are chosen based on a variety of real-time data and long-term planning to handle the
complex dynamics of modern air travel. Here are the key points regarding why airport
configuration importance:

Traffic Management: Airport configuration is critical for managing air traffic flow.
Different configurations are used depending on various factors such as weather
conditions and traffic volumes. Efficient configuration management can minimize delays,
save fuel, and improve overall traffic flow.

Operational Dependence: Runway configurations determine how operations on

different runways interact and are mutually dependent. This affects how air traffic is
managed, particularly at larger airports with multiple runways which may operate
different configurations simultaneously.

Operational Decision-Making: Knowing the airport configuration aids pilots in

navigation and ensures they do not approach the wrong runway, thus maintaining the
flow of traffic and preventing operational errors.
Safety and Efficiency: Proper runway configuration ensures the safe separation of
aircraft during takeoff and landing phases. It also affects the efficiency of airport
operations by dictating the number of aircraft that can land or depart within a given
timeframe. A complex airport configuration can be a causal factor in runway incursions,
which are incidents where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle, or person is on a runway.
Proper configuration helps manage these risks.

Meteorological Considerations: Runway orientation, a fundamental aspect of

configuration, is typically aligned with the direction of prevailing winds to maximize
operational safety and efficiency. This is because takeoffs and landings are most safely
conducted into the wind. Historical meteorological data is essential in determining the
optimal orientation of runways to achieve a high usability factor.

Infrastructure Standards: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides

engineering, design, and construction standards for airport-related equipment, facilities,
and structures, ensuring that airport configurations adhere to high safety and
operational standards. These standards are crucial for maintaining uniformity and safety
across different airports.

Future Planning and Simulation: To improve human performance and operational

decision-making, simulations are used to model future airport configurations, allowing
for the validation of assumptions and a reduction in the risk of an inaccurate cost-benefit
analysis.

Types of Airport Configurations

Runway Configuration

Runway Configuration is the layout or design of a runway or runways, where operations

on the particular runway or runways being used at a given time are mutually dependent.
A large airport can have two or more runway configurations operating simultaneously.

1. Single - an airport having one runway

2. Parallel - two or more runways at an airport whose centerlines are parallel

 Close parallel( centerlines are less than 2,500 feet apart )

 Intermediate parallel ( centerlines are 2,500 –4,300 feet apart )
 Far parallel ( centerlines are more than 4,300 feet apart )

3. Open V - are two intersecting runways whose extended centerlines intersection

beyond their respective thresholds
4. Intersecting - two ore more runways that cross or meet within their lengths

Runway Markings

A. Basic markings - markings used for VFR operations include centerline, and runways
designation numbers (runway orientation) and if required letters indicating left or right.

B. Instrument Marking - markings on runways served by nonvisual navigation aids and

intended for landings under IMC conditions, consist of basic markings plus threshold
marking

C. All weather Markings - markings on runways served by non visual precision

approach aids and on runways having special operational requirements, consisting of
instrument markings plus landing zone marking and side strips.

Visual Runway Markings

 Precision Instrument Runway Markings

Non Precision Instrument Runway

Lighting:

Runway lights are those lights with a prescribed angle of emission used to define the
lateral limits of a runway. Runway light intensity may be controllable or preset. Lights
are uniformly spaced at intervals of approximately 200 feet.

A. Approach lights

Sequence - are sequence flashers, that include lines of white strobe lights, that
illuminate in sequence to guide the pilot's eyes towards the runway centerline.

Threshold lights - is lighting arranged symmetrically about the extended centerline of the
runway identifying the runway threshold. They emit a fixed green light.

B. Glide Slope Indicators

VASI - Visual Approach Slope Indicators, An airport lighting facility in the terminal area
navigation system used primarily under VFR conditions. It provides vertical visual
guidance to aircraft during approach and landing by radiating a directional pattern of
high intensity read and white focused light beams which indicate to the pilot that he or
she is "on path" if the pilot sees red/white, " above path" is white/white, and "below path"
if red/red.

PAPI - Precision Approach Path Indicators is another visual approach path indicator and
gives more precise indications to the pilot of the approach path of the aircraft and used
only one bar. The PAPI consists of four lights on either side of the runway. The PAPI
gives five approach angles and has a transition from one color to another.

Taxiways Configuration

A defined path, usually paved, over which aircraft can taxi from one part of an airport to
another. Taxiways are marked by green center lights and blue edge lights. Taxiways
lead to runway entrances and exits. Most general aviation airports have right angle
exits, however many commercial airports have turnoff taxiways or high speed exits that
permit landing aircraft to exit the active runway without coming to a complete stop on
the runway. Most taxiways are the shortest distance between terminal and runway

Holding Areas Configuration

Runup areas are used by propeller and turboprop aircraft for engine checks prior to
takeoff. These are almost always located near ends of runways. Holding bays allows for
aircraft to bypass one another if there is a change in departure sequencing.

Ground Control Configuration

Ground traffic control at large airports takes responsibility to moving aircraft from
terminals to taxiways. Lineman guide aircraft to final parking area at terminals.

Aircraft Parking Configuration

Aircraft parking is usually: nose in, nose out, or parallel.

 Benefits and Drawbacks

Each configuration is selected based on airport size, traffic demand, local geography,
and prevailing weather patterns, and while they have distinct advantages, they also
present different challenges that must be managed through careful planning and air
traffic control.

Single Runways:

Benefit: Ideal for small regional airports with limited traffic, simple design, low
construction, and maintenance costs.

Drawback: Limited capacity for handling air traffic, potential for delays during peak
times.

Intersecting Runways:

Benefit: Flexibility in operations, allowing for continued use regardless of wind direction.

Drawback: Increased risk of runway incursions and complex air traffic control, especially
when both runways are in use.

Parallel Runways:

Benefit: Increased capacity for takeoffs and landings, reduced delays, and efficient air
traffic flow.

Drawback: Requires more space and can be more expensive to construct and maintain.

Open-V Runways:

Benefit: Offers operational flexibility in different wind conditions without the risks of
intersecting paths.
Drawback: Can limit operations if only one runway is usable at a time due to wind
conditions.

International Airport Examples