Lesson 25

Airport Runway Numbers

Understanding basic principles of manned aircraft traffic patterns, especially when operating in the vicinity of airports, is still important for drone operators to ensure safe and coordinated operations.

Airport Traffic Patterns
Right-of-Way Rules
Red and Green Light = Head-On

Study Guide

How Runways are Numbered

Runways are numbered based on Magnetic North to align with pilots’ navigation systems, which rely on magnetic headings. Since Magnetic North shifts and varies slightly year-to-year, runways need to be aligned with it so pilots’ navigation systems can accurately reflect real-time conditions. Aligning with Magnetic North that the heading a pilot sees on their instruments matches the actual runway heading.

Each runway number reflects its heading rounded to the nearest 10 degrees. With a full circle encompassing 360 degrees, this system provides the way for pilots to determine a runway’s orientation.

To determine runway direction, add a zero to the given runway number, giving you the runway’s magnetic heading. For example, Runway 27 is aligned with a heading of 270°, or Runway 9 is aligned with a heading of 90°.

Runway 09 = 90° due East

Runway 27 = 270° due West

Runway Numbers Tell You Takeoff and Landing Direction

Now that we know how runway numbers indicate their compass heading, we can determine which direction a plane will be taking off or landing.

  • Example 1: If you’re landing on Runway 16, the runway is aligned at 160°. This means pilots are approaching from the north and landing toward the south, heading 160°.

  • Example 2: If you’re taking off from Runway 18, the runway is oriented at 180°, so you’ll be departing toward the south.

Runway 16 = 160° Southeast

Runway 13 = 130° due Southeast

Runway 18 = 180° due South

Runway 31 = 310° Northweset

Quick Review

Runways are numbered based on Magnetic North to align with pilots’ navigation systems, which rely on magnetic headings.

Each runway number reflects its heading rounded to the nearest 10 degrees. With a full circle encompassing 360 degrees, this system provides the way for pilots to determine a runway’s orientation. 

Aircraft gain lift better when taking off into the wind and slow down easier when landing.

  • Runway 18 = 180° due South
  • Runway 17 = 170° Southeast
  • Runway 12 = 120° Southeast
  • Runway 36 = 360° due North
  • Runway 08 = 80° Northeast
  • Runway 26 = 260° Southwest
  • Runway 28 = 280° Northwest

Runway 18

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

180° due South

Runway 17

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

 170° Southeast

Runway 12

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

120° Southeast

Runway 36

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

360° due North

Runway 08

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

80° Northeast

Runway 26

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

260° Southwest

Runway 28

Runway Orientation in Degrees?

Answer:

280° Northwest

Practice Quiz

Airport Runway Numbers

1 / 7

Runways are numbered based on which of the following?

2 / 7

If an aircraft is landing on Runway 27, what is the approximate heading?

3 / 7

What heading would an aircraft have if it’s taking off from Runway 15?

4 / 7

If an aircraft is taking off from Runway 18, which direction is it heading?

5 / 7

Which direction would an aircraft be heading if it is departing from Runway 03?

6 / 7

A plane is landing on Runway 9. What direction is the aircraft facing as it approaches the runway?

7 / 7

If an aircraft is taking off from Runway 22, what is the heading?

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