AIM ¶ 2-3-11 — Destination Signs
AIM 2-3-11 explains airport destination signs: yellow background, black text, arrows pointing to runways, aprons, FBOs, and other key destinations.
In Plain English
Destination signs are yellow signs with black lettering that point you toward a specific location on the airport. They supplement standard taxiway direction signs to help you find the most efficient taxi route. Every destination sign includes an arrow showing which way to go.
Sign placement is key:
- If the arrow indicates a turn, the sign is placed before the intersection.
- For straight-ahead paths or ending taxiway intersections, the sign may be on the far side of the intersection.
There are two types:
- Inbound destination signs point to areas like aprons, terminals, or fuel. Common abbreviations include APRON, FBO, GA Transient/Tenant, CARGO, CIVIL, FUEL, INTL, MIL, ANG, USN, PARKING, PAX, RAMP, and TERM.
- Outbound destination signs point toward departure runways using arrows and runway numbers.
When multiple destinations share a route, a dot (•) separates them with a single arrow. When destinations require different taxi routes, each has its own arrow, separated by a vertical black divider. Recognizing these signs quickly reduces taxi confusion and runway incursion risk.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 2-3-112-3-11. 2-3-11. Destination Signs
Destination signs have a yellow background with a black inscription indicating a taxi route to a destination on the airport. These signs supplement standard taxiway direction signs to optimize taxi paths to specific areas of the airport. Destination signs always have an arrow showing the direction of the taxi route to the destination indicated on the sign. Where the destination sign arrow indicates a turn, the sign location is prior to the intersection. The sign may reside on the opposite side of an intersection for straight ahead paths and for ending taxiway intersections. Inbound destination signs identify a taxi path to specific areas of the airport. Sign legends are typically short descriptions or abbreviations of the destination. FIG 2-3-38 shows examples of typical inbound destination signs. Common sign legends include: APRON. General parking, servicing, and loading areas FBO Apron. An apron where itinerant general aviation operators can park their aircraft and expect to have access to traditional Fixed Base Operator services subject to terms and conditions. GA Transient Apron. An apron where itinerant general aviation operators can park their aircraft without FBO services and subject to terms and conditions. GA Tenant Apron. An area designated for parking of based general aviation aircraft, e.g., tie down area. North/South/East/West Apron. An apron designation describing relative location on the airport. CARGO. Areas set aside for cargo handling. CIVIL. Areas set aside for civil aircraft. FUEL. Areas where aircraft receive fuel or related services. INTL. Areas set aside for handling international flights. MIL. Areas set aside for military aircraft. ANG. Area reserved for Air National Guard USN. Area reserved for U.S. Navy PARKING. Alternative name for apron area. PAX. Areas set aside for passenger handling. RAMP. Name synonymous with APRON. TERM. Gate positions at which aircraft load or unload passengers and cargo. Outbound destination signs identify the general direction to departure runways. The sign legend consists of direction arrow(s) and the applicable runway designations. FIG 2-3-39 is an example of a typical outbound destination sign. When a sign indicates the inscription for two or more destinations having a common taxi route, a “dot” ( • ) separates the destinations and one arrow indicates the direction of the taxi path, as shown in FIG 2-3-39 . When a sign shows the inscription for two or more destinations having different taxiing routes, each destination will have its own arrow to indicate the taxi direction. A vertical black message divider separates each destination, as shown in FIG 2-3-40 . FIG 2-3-38 Inbound Destination Sign Example FIG 2-3-39 Outbound Destination Sign for Common Taxi Route to Two Separate Runways FIG 2-3-40 Destination Sign for Different Taxiing Routes to Two Runways
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What color scheme identifies a destination sign, and what must it always include?
Per AIM 2-3-11, destination signs have a yellow background with black inscriptions and always include an arrow showing the direction of the taxi route to the indicated destination.
Q2How are multiple destinations displayed when they share a common taxi route versus different taxi routes?
Per AIM 2-3-11, destinations sharing a common route are separated by a dot (•) with a single arrow. Destinations with different routes each get their own arrow and are separated by a vertical black message divider.
Q3What does an outbound destination sign indicate, and what does its legend consist of?
Per AIM 2-3-11, outbound destination signs identify the general direction to departure runways, and the legend consists of direction arrow(s) and the applicable runway designations.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 2