Interactive Quiz #5:
Airport Signs

One of the most significant changes at U.S. airports in recent years has been the new system of standardized signs. They can be tremendously helpful to pilots at unfamiliar airports and in low-visibility conditions...but only if you have a good understanding of what the new signs mean. Do you?

by Mike Busch

The questions in this Brainteaser quiz are based on the AIM.

Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "score" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

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1. The six classes of airport signs are color-coded. Which are not colored yellow and black?
a. Mandatory instruction signs.
b. Location signs.
c. Direction signs.
d. Destination signs.
e. Information signs.
f. Runway distance remaining signs.
g. (a) and (f).
h. (a), (b), and (f).

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2. Ground control has cleared you to "taxi up to and hold short of the approach end of Runway 23." Visibility is 3/4 mile in fog. While taxiing, you spot this sign ahead. You should:
a. Continue on taxiway "Tango" to the approach end of Runway 23.
b. Hold short...you're there.
c. Stop and ask ground control for help...you've taken a wrong turn.

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3. Same situation as question 2 but this time you see this sign. Now you know for sure that you're holding short of the approach end of Runway 23.
a. True.
b. False.

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4. You're in position-and-hold on Runway 23 waiting for clearance to launch into the clag. Unexpectedly, the tower instructs you to "taxi clear of the runway without delay and remain clear of the ILS critical area awaiting release." Which of the following signs are you looking for to indicate that you've cleared the ILS critical area?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e. None of the above.

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5. While on a taxiway, you encounter this sign. It notifies you that you can't continue because:
a. the taxiway ahead is one-way in the opposite direction.
b. the taxiway ahead leads to a restricted area of the airport.
c. The pavement ends.

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6. You're making a visual approach, and the tower instructs you "cleared to land Runway 25R, hold short of Runway 30." During your landing roll, you see this sign along the runway edge. It tells you:
a. Relax, you've got 3000 feet of runway left.
b. You better get on the brakes quick.
c. You better fill out a NASA ASRS form.
d. Nothing of significance.

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7. You've just landed on Runway 9 and turned off onto taxiway "Charlie" when you see this sign. If you taxi past the sign and look over your shoulder, what would you expect to see on its reverse side?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e. Either (b) or (d).
f. None of the above.

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8. BONUS QUESTION. You're shooting an ILS to a 4700-foot runway. You break out right at minimums, high and hot, and stuff it on. During your landing roll, while braking heavily, you pass this sign. How much pavement do you have remaining? (Careful!)
a. 200 feet.
b. 2000 feet.
c. Between 1950 and 2050 feet.
d. Between 2300 and 2400 feet.
e. Not enough information.

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