Part 139 Best Practices: Lighting, Marking and Signage
Airports-Central Region
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- Runway and Taxiway Painting
- Mark Runway Threshold To Configuration"B" by 2007
- Hold Signs For Military Assault Strip/Landing Zones
Runway and Taxiway Painting
The latest version of FAA Standard Item P-620, Runway and Taxiway Painting from AC 150/5370-10, Standards for Specifying Construction, contains information on FAA standards for paints used at airports. Four types of paints are specified:
- Water base
- solvent base
- epoxy
- methacrylate.
All paints must meet Federal Standard 595 for paint color. The water and solvent based paints must meet the current Federal Specifications (TT-P-85, TT-P-110, TT-P-1952D) for paint. The material requirements for epoxy and methacrylate based paints are contained in Item P-620. Epoxy and methacrylate based paints are more durable than water or solvent based paints but they are more expensive.
All four types of paints require the use of glass beads or sand to improve their friction characteristics. Glass beads not only improve friction characteristics but also improve conspicuity. They are required for all paint types when Federal funds are used for markings. Either airport grade or highway grade beads are acceptable. Silica sand can also be added to improve friction characteristics. However, the FAA recommends that airports with nighttime operations use the paint and glass beads specified in the Advisory Circular. At a minimum, the following areas should have paint with glass beads to improve conspicuity and friction characteristics:
- All runway and taxiway holding position markings
- Runway threshold marking
- Runway threshold marking bar
- Runway aiming point marking
- Runway designation marking
- Runway touchdown zone markings
- Runway centerline
- Taxiway centerline
- Geographical position marking
- Surface painted signs
The contrast of markings on light colored pavement can be increased by outlining them with a black border at least 6 inches in width. This is a particularly effective means of highlighting holding position markings and taxiway centerlines.
The FAA has no standard specification for thermoplastic paint. The sponsor and engineer must obtain FAA approval through a modification to standards at the design stage of the project if thermoplastic paint is proposed for use on an AIP-funded project. Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as location, surface type, airport size, safety, and economy are taken into account in the decision to approve a modification. This material has been used on airports, with varying degrees of success. The FAA does not have enough data to develop a standard for this product at this time. However, if an airport intends to use this type of product, caution must be exercised with the application. It can be slick and some texturing material, such as glass beads or sand is needed to improve its friction characteristics.
FAA Headquarters
October 2003
Mark Runway Threshold To Configuration"B" by 2007
In 1999, change "H" to Advisory Circular 150/5340-1 changed the runway threshold marking requirements from eight longitudinal stripes (Configuration "A") to between 4 and 16 longitudinal stripes (Configuration "B"), depending on the width of the runway. Configuration "A" is still allowable up until January 1, 2008.
We urge all airport operators to switch to Configuration "B" at the earliest logical opportunity (e.g. after slurry seal, overlay or new construction). Engineers should be sure to use Configuration "B" on all construction plans. Don't be "the last on your block" to change over to Configuration "B".
Glenn Helm
October 2003
Hold Signs For Military Assault Strip/Landing Zones
On some airports there are runways used solely by the military (military assault strip) that do not carry a runway designation. A standard runway holding position marking should be placed on any taxiway leading onto or across a military assault strip. The setback distance should be based on Table 4 of Advisory Circular 150/5340-1. The inscription on the Mandatory Hold Sign located at the intersection of a taxiway or designated runway and a military landing zone/assault strip that does not have a runway designation is: MIL LZ.
The design of the sign should be in accordance with the Mandatory Instruction Sign standards, Type L-858R, found in AC 150/5345-44F, Specification for Taxiway and Runway Signs. AC 150/5340-18C, Standards for Airport Sign Systems, Table 1, establish the standards for the location of this sign, i.e., the mandatory hold sign should be co-located with a taxiway location sign and Runway Holding Position Markings. This sign has been coordinated with the Department of Defense Federal Aviation Administration Liaison Detachment and Air Traffic Control Flight Procedures.
FAA Headquarters
October 2001
