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Two large white numerals at a runway threshold, giving its magnetic bearing.
Also known as: Runway number, Runway heading marking
The two large numerals painted across the end of a runway are its designator: the magnetic bearing of the runway in degrees, divided by ten and rounded. A runway marked 27 points roughly 270 degrees, due west. The same strip of tarmac carries a different number at each end, and the two always differ by 18 because the bearings are opposite. Where an aerodrome has parallel runways, a letter — L, C or R — is added beneath the numbers.
Gives the runway's magnetic bearing in degrees divided by ten and rounded, so a runway marked 27 points approximately due west and one marked 09 points approximately due east.
Contexts: Public information, Navigation
Appears twice on one strip of tarmac, once at each end, and the two numbers always differ by eighteen because the bearings are opposite. A pilot cleared for 09 and a pilot cleared for 27 are being sent to the same runway from different ends.
Contexts: Public information, Navigation
Changes when the magnetic pole moves. Aerodromes have repainted their designators — and reissued their charts — because magnetic north drifted far enough for the rounded bearing to change, which is one of the few cases where a symbol is altered by geology.
Contexts: Public information, Navigation
Two very large elongated numerals painted across the width of the surface, sometimes with a single letter of the same height beneath them.
Both are runway surface markings read together on approach.