AIRPORT DESIGN

LECTURE 4
 AIRPORT DESIGN
- GEOMETRIC DESIGN:

■ Runways

■ Taxiways
Runways
 Always oriented in the direction of prevailing
winds. WHY?

Runways are named by a number between

01 and 36.
The number is generally the magnetic azimuth of
the runway's heading in decadegrees.
 RUNWAYS
Heading differs from true north by the local
magnetic declination.

 A runway numbered 09 points east (90°),

runway 18 is south (180°), runway 27 points
west (270°) and runway 36 points to the north
(360° rather than 0°).

 When taking off from or landing on runway 09, a

plane would be heading 90° (east).
Runway’s magnetic direction
 Both the heading indicator and the magnetic
compass show the magnetic direction when
pointed down the centre of the runway.
 A runway can normally be used in both
directions.

 Each direction is named separately:

e.g., "runway 33" in one direction is "runway
15" when used in the other.

!!! The two numbers usually differ by 18

(i.e.180°).
 If there is more than one runway pointing in
the same direction (parallel runways),
each runway is identified by appending
Left (L),
Center (C) and
Right (R)
to the number to identify its position (when
facing its direction)
 For example, Runways One Five Left (15L), One Five
Center (15C), and One Five Right (15R).
 Runway Zero Three Left (03L) becomes Runway Two
One Right (21R) when used in the opposite direction
(derived from adding 18 to the original number for
the 180 degrees when approaching from the
opposite direction).
 In some countries, if parallel runways are too close to
each other, regulations mandate that only one runway
may be used at a time under certain conditions (usually
adverse weather.
 For clarity in radio communications, each
digit in the runway name is pronounced
individually:
runway three six, runway one four, etc.
 A leading zero, for example in "runway zero
six" or "runway zero one left", is included for
all ICAO and some U.S. military airports (such
as Edwards Air Force Base).
 However, most U.S. civil aviation airports
drop the leading zero as required by FAA
regulation.
 Dimensions
 Runway dimensions vary from
as small as 245 m (804 ft) long and 8 m
(26 ft) wide in smaller general aviation
airports, to 5,500 m (18,045 ft) long and
80 m (262 ft) wide at large international
airports built to accommodate the largest
jets, to the huge 11,917 m × 274 m
(39,098 ft × 899 ft) lake bed runway 17/35 at
Edwards Air Force Base in California – a
landing site for the retired Space Shuttle.
Parts of a runway
Runway Surface Markings
 Runway Configuration
 FAA includes over 20 runway layouts.
 There are 4 basic runway patterns :

1. SIMPLE RUNWAY

2. PARALLEL RUNWAY

3. OPEN-V RUNWAYS

1. INTERSECTING RUNWAYS
Simple Runway
PARALLEL RUNWAYS(1)
Parallel Runways(2)
 OPEN-V RUNWAYS
Runways diverging from different directions
but do not intersect and form an open-V
shape are ‘OPEN-V runways’
 INTERSECTING RUNWAYS

Two or more runways that cross each other are

classified as intersecting runways.

This type of runway is used when there are

relatively strong prevailing winds from more
than one direction during the year.
Intersecting runways
Wind Direction Indicators
 Runway (safety) incidents
 Runway excursion – involves only a single
aircraft that makes an inappropriate exit from the
runway
 Runway overrun – the aircraft is unable to stop

before the end of the runway

 Runway incursion – involves the incorrect

presence of a vehicle, person or another aircraft

on the runway
 Runway confusion – an aircraft makes use of the

wrong runway for take-off or landing.

Runway excursion
Runway overrun
Runway incursion
Gisborne Airport, New Zealand
Saba Island in the Carribean
Agatti Aerodrome, India
Gibraltar International Airport
Ice Camp Barneo, North Pole
 Runways versus Taxiways
 A runway is a surface (improved or
unimproved) specifically intended for aircraft
to use for takeoffs and landings.

 A taxiway is used by aircraft to facilitate their

movements between runways and parking
areas.
 WHAT IS A TAXIWAY?
 A taxiway is a ground path used by aircraft
that connects a runway with another area of
an airport.
 Taxiways are usually made of concrete or
asphalt, and much like runway surfaces, are
pretty solid - anything from a foot to five feet
in thickness.
 A taxiway might connect a runway and a
terminal or a runway and a hangar.
 Normally only authorized airport personnel,
e.g. pilots, are allowed to travel taxiways.
 EXCEPTIONS to the RULE (1)
Runways sometimes are used as taxiways,
especially by oversized aircraft,
or
where the physical layout of the airport or
surrounding terrain limits aircraft movements
in general.

Some runways are only suitable for daytime

use, and revert to being used as taxiways
during hours of darkness.
EXCEPTIONS to the RULE (2)
• Some taxiways are usable as runways by small
aircraft - especially unmanned aircraft – when
so authorized.
• Helicopters can land anywhere on an airport,
and taxiways frequently are a preferred option
for such operations since that keeps them out
of the way of active runways. 
Helipads often are designated and marked on
taxiway surfaces.
A Taxiway
Thank you!