Aerodromes and Ground Operations: Movement Areas and Safety
Aerodrome terminology
Know the definitions: manoeuvring area (runways and taxiways, excluding aprons), movement area (manoeuvring area plus aprons), apron (parking and servicing), taxiway and holding position. A frequent trap is placing an apron inside the manoeuvring area - it is not.
Markings, signs and lighting
Runway markings indicate threshold, touchdown zone, centreline and aiming point. Taxiway markings include centreline, holding position and runway-holding position. Signs are mandatory (red), information (yellow) and location (black with yellow inscription). Lighting includes approach, threshold, runway edge, end and taxiway lighting. Questions often test the meaning of a runway-holding position marking: it marks where an aircraft must stop unless cleared to enter the runway.
Ground movement and clearances
A taxi clearance is not a take-off clearance and does not authorise entering a runway. Read-back is required for runway-holding instructions. Traps include assuming a clearance to taxi to a holding point permits crossing an active runway.
Aerodrome safety
Know the purpose of the aerodrome safety management system, the runway incursion problem, and the rules for vehicle access to the manoeuvring area. Also know bird and wildlife hazard management, and the requirement to report hazards.
Worked example
An aircraft is cleared to taxi to the holding point for runway 27 and the route crosses runway 22. The taxi clearance alone does not authorise crossing runway 22 unless the clearance explicitly includes it. Rule of thumb: every runway crossing needs an explicit clearance.
Emergency services
Know the categories of rescue and firefighting service and how they relate to the aerodrome's use.