Runway ID numbering system

mark_in_motion · Post by **mark_in_motion** » 18 Feb 2005, 17:50

Hello,

Maybe its not the correct forum to ask this question, but I hope to find here somebody that knows the answer to this: How are runway identifier numbers chosen (like 07R/25L for BRU) ? And what does the L and R suffix means? Does it all has something to do with the heading and/or length of the runway?

Kind regards,

Mark

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:08

The runway numbers are the heading they are going to. eg :

- Runway 25 L/R ==> they are going to a heading of 252° and 247°, since both are closer to 250° then to 260°, they receive a runway number of 25. Because they are parallel (almost), the left one is 25l, the right one 25R ...

The same for runway 07 / 02 / 20.

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:09

25L:
25 means 250 degrees (west orientated)
L means left runway. (250-180=70 ->07)

Hope this help

Seb.

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:11

Horsepower : note that runways are not always on the "correct" heading of their numbers! As said in my previous post : runway 25L = 252°, 25R = 247°

You probably knew this already

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:14

I know, thx anyway.

Regards

Seb.

mark_in_motion · Post by **mark_in_motion** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:25

browsing for hours and hours over internet searching for an answer. found a lot of runway information, even instructions on how to paint them on the asphalt, but not an explanation.

just one post at luchtzak.be and within some minutes it is solved!!!

thanks a lot!

Post by **Bottie** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:28

mark_in_motion wrote:browsing for hours and hours over internet searching for an answer. found a lot of runway information, even instructions on how to paint them on the asphalt, but not an explanation.

just one post at luchtzak.be and within some minutes it is solved!!!

thanks a lot!

That's why we say 'the world of aviation is only one mouseclick away' 8)

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 18 Feb 2005, 18:36

Seb.

Zorba · Post by **Zorba** » 18 Feb 2005, 19:11

Mark,

View it from the bright sight : you did learned a lot about runways

A pleasure to help you

Knight255 · Post by **Knight255** » 19 Feb 2005, 01:15

Keep in mind that those numbers are oriented to magnetic North, not true North. Because the Earth's magnetic field is always shifting, every once in a while, they may have to repaint the runway numbers if the magnetic heading changes enough.

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 19 Feb 2005, 01:21

That's true. Perhaps some spotters noticed that aircrafts are sometimes utilized to check the heading of the runways (ATR 42 for French Civil Aviation Authority- B1900 from FlightPrecision, etc...)

Seb.

Advisor · Post by **Advisor** » 23 Feb 2005, 09:58

mark_in_motion wrote:browsing for hours and hours over internet searching for an answer. found a lot of runway information, even instructions on how to paint them on the asphalt, but not an explanation.

just one post at luchtzak.be and within some minutes it is solved!!!

thanks a lot!

You make people at Luchtzak proud. Most humbly, if you can share your runway information and the painting on asphalt, we would be grateful.

Regards and Merci

AFApresident · Post by **AFApresident** » 23 Feb 2005, 14:14

Atlanta´s runways are numbered:

8L 8R 9L 9R (5th rwy will be numbered 10). All have the same heading of 092degrees.

Logically the other end of the rwys have a heading of +180 degrees or 272degrees and are numbered respectively as follow: 26R 26L 27R 27L and the new runway 28 which will open in May 2006 if all goes as planned.

concordino · Post by **concordino** » 23 Feb 2005, 15:15

@ HorsePower

The aircraft you see flying approahes are more likely calibrating the ILS, as a simple compass and the latest magnetic variation table will give runway alignment.

mark_in_motion · Post by **mark_in_motion** » 23 Feb 2005, 16:23

well "Advisor" and all other luchtzakkers , I think you have a very good reason to be proud!

To answer your question, here we go, some copies of links from the history of my I.E., although maybe trivial information for 95% of the visitors of luchtzak:

http://www.airnav.com/airports/
and from there:
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KJFK

http://www.azworldairports.com/index.htm
and from there:
http://azworldairports.com/azworldairpo ... /p2160.htm
http://azworldairports.com/azworldairpo ... 160rtm.htm
http://azworldairports.com/azworldairpo ... 160-02.htm
http://www.texelairport.nl/facilities/p ... index.html
http://www.texelairport.nl/facilities/m ... index.html

http://www.flyingineurope.be/Airports.htm
and from there:
http://avia-dejavu.net/europa.htm
http://worldaerodata.com/
http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=JFK
http://naco.faa.gov/d-tpp/0502/00610AD.pdf

and finally the painting info (check the second PDF):
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/AERO/aerospecs.htm#rwyidentify
and from there:
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/AERO/RWYIDman.pdf
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/AERO/RWYfigs.pdf

HorsePower · Post by **HorsePower** » 23 Feb 2005, 16:51

@ concordino
Ok, thanks!

Seb.