Airport Operations Management: Airside Overview

Facilities on an airport's property for aircraft operations, including runways, taxiways, parking areas, and navigation aids.

The area above an airport where aircraft move after takeoff, before landing, or in transit.

Specific guidelines for runway length, width, direction, configuration, slope, and pavement thickness for safety and efficiency.

Systems on runways to guide aircraft during taxiing, takeoff, approach, and landing.

Signs that identify runways and provide directional guidance for aircraft.

Considerations for runway lengths for both takeoff and landing, with particular attention paid to acceleration and deceleration distances.

Systems to enhance visibility at night and adverse weather conditions.

Services and structures, (e.g. de-icing, fuel services) to support safe and efficient operations of aircraft.

Airport facilities for ground operations: vehicles, passengers, cargo, and ground access systems.

Part of the airport devoted to passenger and baggage transfer between ground and aircraft.

A system of lights used at airports to guide aircraft during landing and takeoff.

A system that coordinates and manages air traffic to ensure safe and efficient movement of aircraft.

Part of ATC that manages aircraft outside of airport controlled zones.

Part of ATC that guides aircraft approaching and leaving an airport.

Part of ATC that manages aircraft landing and taking off; in control zone.

A system for transporting people within an airport.

Areas in an airport where planes have access to fuel.

Police force specifically for airport security.

Services that handle emergencies at an airport.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards dictate lighting, markings, signage, and procedures for airports.

A marking on the runway that indicates the center and provides alignment guidance during takeoff and landing.

A visual marker on the runway to aid pilots in aiming their aircraft for a safe landing.

Markings on the runway that identify the touchdown zone, with markings for distance information (500 ft increments).

Visual instructions and information for pilots and ground crews at airports, essential for safe and efficient operations.

Airport signs indicating the direction to specific locations (runway, taxiway) with a yellow background and black lettering/arrow.

Airport signs that identify the specific runway or taxiway an aircraft is located on (black background, yellow lettering).

Airport signs indicating critical areas or instructions with a red background and white lettering - e.g., no-entry areas.

Standardized lighting and markings at airports to guide pilots and ground personnel during different times, especially at night.

Rotating lights that aid in identifying the airport at night, especially civilian airports.

Green lights that mark the beginning of a runway, aiding pilots in identifying the start of the runway at night.

Red lights that mark the end of runways and identify obstacles at night.

Blue lights that mark taxiways, differentiating them from runways at night.

Precision Approach Path Indicator systems (2 or 4 light) that help pilots maintain the correct glide slope during approach.