Los Angeles World Airports

Aircraft Surface
Movement Program
Anthony Laughlin
Superintendent of Operations
Los Angeles International Airport
(310) 646-4265
alaughlin@lawa.org

Introduction To
Aircraft Surface Movement
Program
Any person who taxis, tows,
communicates on aviation VHF
frequencies, or is otherwise
involved in the movement of
aircraft at LAX must
successfully complete the
Aircraft Surface Movement
Program.

Introduction To
Aircraft Surface Movement
Program
Class length: 3 hours
Test: 30 question multiple choice
minimum passing score is 90%

All persons who successfully complete this

program will be rebadged. The replacement
badge will include the Aircraft Movement
Icon.

Introduction To
Aircraft Surface Movement
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

LAWA AIRFIELD OPERATIONS ESCORT IS

REQUIRED FOR ALL AIRCRAFT SURFACE

MOVEMENT OPERATIONS BY NON-FLIGHT
CREW PERSONNEL, INVOLVING THE
CROSSING OF ANY RUNWAY AT LAX

Training Goals
1.
2.
3.

To prevent incursions on
movement areas
To provide familiarization with
airfield layout, signs, markings,
and lighting
To help standardize radio
communication and Air Traffic
Control procedures

Aircraft Surface Movement

Program
SECTION 1:

LAX Airfield Familiarization

SECTION 2:

Airfield Signs, Surface

Markings, and Lighting

SECTION 3:

Air Traffic Control Procedures,

Instructions, and Radio
Phraseology

Runway Incursions
The FAA defines a Runway Incursion as:
Any occurrence at an airport
involving an aircraft, vehicle,
person, or object on the ground that
creates a collision hazard or
results in loss of separation with an
aircraft taking off or intending to
takeoff, landing or intending to
land.

Section 1
LAX Airfield Familiarization
Movement Areas consist of
runways, taxiways, taxilanes and
other areas of an airport which
are used for taxiing, takeoff, and
landing of aircraft.

LAX Airfield Familiarization

Runways
Rectangular-shaped, paved
surfaces on an airport, designed
for the landing or takeoff of
airplanes.

Runway Designations
Based on a runways
magnetic heading, using
the 360 degree compass
system
Runways may be used in
two opposite directions
All runways have TWO
runway designations

Runway Designations
The pictured runway
is oriented in the
north-south direction
The pictured runway
would be designated
Runway 18/36

Runway Designations

What is the magnetic

alignment of the
pictured runway?
What is the runway
designation?

Runway Designations

What is the magnetic

alignment of the
pictured runway?
What is the runway
designation?

LAX Runway Layout

Parallel Runway Configuration
South Complex
Runway 25R/7L
Runway 25L/7R

LAX Runway Layout

North Complex
Runway 24R/6L
Runway 24L/6R

Taxiways
A paved surface designed
for the movement of
aircraft from one part of
the airport to another

Taxiways

Types of Taxiways

Parallel Taxiways
North-South Taxiways
Connector Taxiways
Taxilanes
Bi-pass Taxiways

Taxiway Designation
Letters
Letters and Numbers

LAX Taxiway Configuration

Five Parallel Taxiways

E
D

C
B
A

LAX Taxiway Configuration

Three North-South Taxiways

Q
AA

LAX Taxiway Configuration

Connector taxiways are used
To
Three
Review,
LAX has
Four
Taxiways
Runways
FiveNorth-South
Parallel
Taxiways
by aircraft to taxi from one
movement area to another.

Taxilanes (Alleys/Alleyways)
A paved surface used for access
between taxiways and
Ramp (gate) areas

Taxilanes (Alleys/Alleyways)
Methodology of Taxilane Designations

D9

D8
D7

D10

C1
C5

C1
0

C
9

C6

C3

C4

C
2

B1

C7
C8
A2

A1

Ramp/Apron Areas
Ramp/Apron Areas consist of the following:

Maintenance Areas
Terminal Gates
Cargo/Freight Parking Gates

Ramp/Apron Areas
Ramps and Aprons are non-movement
areas
Ramp/Apron areas are not controlled
by FAA Air Traffic Control
Ramps and Aprons are aircraft
parking areas designed for the
purpose of loading/unloading or
servicing of aircraft

Ramp/Apron Areas
Gate areas of terminal buildings are an example of a
Ramp/Apron Area
Wing Clearance Lines

Section 2

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting

Runway surface markings are white

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting
The runway centerline is a broken white stripe which
indicates the center of the runway and provides
alignment guidance for aircraft.

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting
The runway edge-line is an unbroken white stripe
indicating the edges of the runway, and the edges
of the full-strength pavement.

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting
Runway threshold markings identify the beginning
of the runway which is available for landing.

Runway Lighting
Runway lighting is white in color

Runway edge-lights identify the sides of the runway

Runway lighting is white in color

Elevated edge-lights identify the runway edges during
adverse visibility conditions

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting
Runway lighting is white in color
In-pavement Runway Centerline Lights identify the runway centerline during adverse visibility conditions

Runway Surface
Markings And Lighting
Runway lighting is white in color
Touchdown Zone Lights indicate the first 3,000 feet
of the runway, beginning at the threshold

Taxiway Surface Markings

ALL taxiway surface markings are yellow.
Taxiway centerline markings indicate the
center of the taxiway.

Taxiway Surface Markings

ALL taxiway surface markings are yellow.
Double yellow taxiway edge-lines indicate the
edges of the taxiway as well as the edge of fullstrength pavement

Taxiway Surface Markings

ALL taxiway surface markings are yellow.
Taxiway Shoulder Markings consist of transverse stripes
extending from the taxiway edge markings into paved areas
which are not intended for aircraft use

Note: At LAX, paved areas

which are unsuitable for
aircraft may be painted green.

Taxiway Surface Markings

Hold Lines are located on taxiways
which intersect runways

All aircraft and vehicles must

hold short of the runway at
the hold line.

Taxiway Surface Markings

Hold Lines are located at the intersection of a taxiway and a
runway.

Aircraft/vehicles must hold on the solid

side of the hold line.

Taxiway Lighting
Taxiway edge-lights are
blue in color
Taxiway edge lighting
identifies the edge of a
taxiway during periods of
darkness or reduced
visibility.

Taxiway Lighting

In-pavement Taxiway centerline lights are green

in color

Taxiway Lighting
In-pavement taxiway centerline lights identify the taxiway
centerline during periods of darkness or reduced visibility

Taxiway Lighting
Runway Guard Lights
Two Types: Elevated and In-Pavement

Elevated Runway Guard Lights consist of

two alternating, flashing yellow lights

Taxiway Lighting
Runway Guard Lights

In-pavement Runway Guard Lights consist

of flashing yellow lights, which extend
across the taxiway, parallel to the hold line

Taxiway Lighting
In-pavement Runway Guard Lights
Extend across hold line

Taxilane Surface Markings

Taxilanes have either solid white or yellow
lead-in lines

Ramp/Apron Area Surface

Markings
Wing-clearance lines are white or red.

Taxilane Surface Markings

Miscellaneous Taxiway markings

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Five types of airfield signage:

25L-7R

Mandatory Instruction Sign

Location Sign
B

Direction Sign
Checkpoint 3
MIL

Information Sign
Destination Sign

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Surface painted signs correspond to mounted signs

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
It Is MANDATORY
That You
Receive
Mandatory
Instruction
Signs
are
INSTRUCTIONS
From
FAA
Air Traffic
usually
co-located
with
Taxiway
Control, Before Passing ANY Mandatory
Location
Signs
Instruction
Sign

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Mandatory Instruction Signs
Runway 7R-25L

Review of Runway 7R/25L

Mandatory Signs

East
End
of
West
Midfield
EndLocations
of Runway
Runway

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Mandatory Instruction
Signs Runway 7L-25R

Review of Runway 25R/7L

Mandatory Signs

East
End
of
West
Midfield
EndLocations
of Runway
Runway

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Mandatory Instruction
Signs Runway 6R-24L

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Instrument Landing System (ILS) Critical Area
Mandatory Instruction Signs

Any aircraft
operator who
LAWA Airfield
is Confronted
withisa
Operations
escort
Mandatory
Instruction
currently required for
Sign
MUST
conduct
any
ALL Aircraft Surface
operation in strict
Movement Operations,
accordance with
conducted
by
non
flightinstructions from FAA Air
crewTraffic
personnel,
which
Control
involve the crossing of
runways at LAX

Failure to comply with

these procedures may
result in a Runway
Incursion, aircraft
collision and/or loss
of airfield driving
privileges

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Taxiway Location Signs have a black background
with yellow inscriptions

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Taxiway Direction Signs have a yellow background with black
inscriptions and arrows.

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Taxiway Location Signs are often co-located with Taxiway
Direction Signs.

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Information signs have a yellow background with black
inscriptions. This type of sign displays advisory
information.

Airfield Signs and

Surface Markings
Destination Signs have a yellow background with black
inscriptions and arrows pointing in the general direction of a
specific location on the airfield.

Airfield Signs and Surface

Markings
Taxiway hold markings are located where
two taxiways intersect.

Restricted/Closed Areas
Certain types of operations or aircraft
may not use a Restricted Area.
No aircraft operations may be conducted
in a Closed Area.

Restricted/Closed Areas
Restricted/Closed Areas are marked
with orange cones, delineators, and/or
standing red lights placed along the
perimeter of the area.

Restricted/Closed Areas
Aircraft inadvertently proceeding into a closed
or restricted area may result in loss of life and
substantial property damage.

Review of Taxiway/Runway
Intersection
Markings, Signs and Lighting

Section 3

Air Traffic Control Procedures,

Instructions, and Phraseology

Transmitting on Aviation VHF Radio

1. Verify correct frequency

2. Briefly monitor to make sure frequency is clear

3. Check position of transmitter selector

Section 3

Air Traffic Control Procedures,

Instructions, and Phraseology

4. Communicate clearly and concisely:

Who you are
Aircraft type wing span
Where you are on the airport
What you are requesting, or intending to do
How youre going to do it

Phraseology
Use correct aviation phraseology
to transmit messages which are
clear and concise
Acknowledge

- Let me know that you

have received my message

Advise Intentions

- Tell me what you

plan to do

Affirmative

- Yes

Phraseology
Confirm

- My version is is that correct?

Correction

- An error has been made in

the transmission and the correct
version follows

Go Ahead

- Proceed with your message.

Not to be used for any other purpose.

Hold

- Stop where you are

Hold Short Of - Proceed to, but stop

before reaching a specific point

Phraseology
Negative

- No, or Permission not

granted, or That is not correct

Proceed -

You are authorized to begin

or continue moving

Read Back -

Repeat my message back

to me

Roger -

I have received all of your last

transmission. (It should not be used to
answer a question requiring a yes or
no answer)

Phraseology
Say Again -

Used to request a repeat

of the last transmission. Usually
specifies transmission or portion

thereof not understood or received

Stand By -

Means the controller or pilot

must pause for a few seconds, usually to
attend to other duties of a higher priority.
If the delay is lengthy, the
caller should reestablish contact.

Phraseology
Taxi To -

Taxi to an airport location. This

instruction is not a clearance to taxi on
or across the referenced airport location.

Unable -

Indicates inability to comply with

a specific instruction, request or clearance

Verify -

Request confirmation of information,

for example, Verify cleared to cross
runway two five right.

Wilco -

I have received your message,

understand it,and will comply with it

Phonetic Alphabet
A standardized aviation phonetic alphabet has
been adopted by the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) and is used by Air Traffic
Controllers worldwide.

Phonetic Alphabet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M

Alfa
Bravo
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliett
Kilo
Lima
Mike

(AL-fah)
(Brah-vo)
(Char-lee)
(Dell-tah)
(Eck-oh)
(Foks-trot)
(Golf)
(Hoh-tell)
(In-dee-ah)
(Jew-lee-ett)
(Key-loh)
(Lee-mah)
(Mike)

N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-ray
Yankee
Zulu

(No-vem-ber)
(Oss-cah)
(Pah-pah)
(Keh-beck)
(Row-me-oh)
(See-air-ah)
(Tang-oh)
(You-nee-form)
(Vik-tah)
(Wiss-key)
(Ecks-ray)
(Yang-key)
(Zoo-loo)

Crossing Runways
1. Initial call to Ground Control
2. When holding at specified taxi
position, ground control instructs
aircraft to contact Tower
3. Tower Control Instructions
Hold short
Cross both runways
Cross one, hold short of the
other

LAX VHF Radio Frequencies

LAX Air Traffic Control VHF Radio Frequencies
Automatic Terminal Information Service
Ground Control- North Complex
Ground Control- South Complex
Tower- North Complex
Tower- South Complex
Metering

133.80
121.65
121.75
133.90
120.95
120.35

LAX Airline Operated Ramp Tower VHF Radio

Frequencies
Alaska Ramp Tower (Taxilane D-10)
American Ramp Tower (Taxilane C-10)
Delta Ramp Tower (Taxilanes C-8 and C-9)
United Ramp Tower (Taxilane C-7)
United Ramp Tower (Taxilane C-6)

130.85
129.32
131.45
129.40
129.50

LAX Standard Taxi Routes

North Route
Route Ident
NORTH

South Route
Route Ident
SOUTH

West Route
Route Ident
WEST

Bridge Route
Route Ident
BRIDGE

Routing via
Taxi via Charlie (C) towards taxiway Quebec (Q), taxi northbound on
taxiway Quebec (Q), and at Check-point-1 contact Ground Control on
frequency 121.65, hold short of taxiway Delta (D). When advised by the
north Ground Control, the North Route continues on taxiway Echo (E) to
Runway 24L or the gate, whichever applies.
Routing via
If the aircraft is west of taxiway Sierra (S), taxi eastbound on taxiway Echo
(E) and turn right on taxiway Sierra (S), if the aircraft is east of taxiway
Sierra (S), taxi westbound on taxiway Delta (D) and turn left on taxiway
Sierra (S). And at Check-point-2, contact Ground Control on frequency
121.75, hold short of taxiway Charlie (C). When advised by south Ground
Control, the South Route continues on taxiway Bravo (B) to Runway 25R or
the gate whichever applies.
Routing via
Taxi via taxiway Charlie (C) westbound, hold short of taxiway Alpha Alpha
(AA), contact Ground on frequency 121.65 when number one approaching
taxiway Alpha Alpha (AA).
Routing via
Taxi via taxiway Echo (E) then south on taxiway Alpha Alpha (A), hold
short of taxiway Charlie (C) contact Ground on frequency 121.75 when
number one approaching Charlie (C).

Proper Radio Procedures

Push back
1. Name of facility being contacted
2. Aircraft call sign
3. Aircraft position
4. Requested operation

Taxi
1. Advise ramp tower, if applicable, when ready to
move forward
2. Contact ground control when ready to tow or taxi
3. Read back all hold short instructions

Preventing Runway Incursions

1. Review all pertinent information prior to conducting an
aircraft surface movement operation
2. Use correct communication techniques

3. Maintain a sterile cockpit

4. If you are unsure of your position on the airfield, stop and ask
for assistance
5. Continuously monitor the appropriate VHF frequency

6. If you are unsure of any issued instructions, ask for

clarification
7. Report any deteriorating/confusing airfield signs, surface
markings or lighting to LAX Airfield Operations, or FAA at
an appropriate time.

Conclusion
Use Safe, Accepted Procedures
Follow Standard Guidelines
Forethought, Proper Planning And
Application Of Established
Procedures Lead To Safety

Review/Questions
Please forward questions, comments
or other input to:
Anthony Laughlin
Superintendent of Operations
Los Angeles International Airport
(310) 646-4265
alaughlin@lawa.org