AIM Text
- When available, ATC furnishes pilots the quality of braking action received from pilots. The quality of braking action is described by the terms “good,” “good to medium,” “medium,” “medium to poor,” “poor,” and “nil.” When pilots report the quality of braking action by using the terms noted above, they should use descriptive terms that are easily understood, such as, “braking action poor the first/last half of the runway,” together with the particular type of aircraft.
- FICON NOTAMs will provide contaminant measurements for paved runways; however, a FICON NOTAM for braking action will only be used for non-paved runway surfaces, taxiways, and aprons. These NOTAMs are classified according to the most critical term (“good to medium,” “medium,” “medium to poor,” and “poor”).
- FICON NOTAM reporting of a braking condition for paved runway surfaces is not permissible by Federally Obligated Airports or those airports certificated under 14 CFR part 139.
- A “NIL” braking condition at these airports must be mitigated by closure of the affected surface. Do not include the type of vehicle in the FICON NOTAM.
- When tower controllers receive runway braking action reports which include the terms medium, poor, or nil, or whenever weather conditions are conducive to deteriorating or rapidly changing runway braking conditions, the tower will include on the ATIS broadcast the statement, “BRAKING ACTION ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT.”
- During the time that braking action advisories are in effect, ATC will issue the most recent braking action report for the runway in use to each arriving and departing aircraft. Pilots should be prepared for deteriorating braking conditions and should request current runway condition information if not issued by controllers. Pilots should also be prepared to provide a descriptive runway condition report to controllers after landing.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 4-3-8.
Research Notes
AIM 4-3-8 covers airport signs — the runway and taxiway sign system that identifies positions, directions, and instructions for ground operations.
The five sign categories:
- Mandatory instruction signs: WHITE letters on RED background. Hold-short signs ("27 ←|" before runway 27). Always require ATC clearance to pass. Examples: hold-short, no-entry, runway-approach-area boundary.
- Location signs: YELLOW letters on BLACK background. Identifies the taxiway you're ON. Single letter typically ("A", "B", "C").
- Direction signs: BLACK letters on YELLOW background, with arrow. Identifies the taxiway you can TURN ONTO from current taxiway.
- Destination signs: BLACK letters on YELLOW background. Identifies arrival points (FBO, terminal, fuel) typically with an arrow.
- Information signs: BLACK letters on YELLOW background. Various information (radio freq, noise abatement, etc.).
The mandatory-sign rule: Crossing a mandatory instruction sign without ATC clearance is a runway incursion. Always wait at a mandatory sign until cleared. Even at non-towered airports, mandatory signs mark the runway approach area — exercise caution and self-announce before crossing.
Sign color memory aids:
- RED = STOP / mandatory action required
- BLACK background with YELLOW letters = WHERE YOU ARE
- YELLOW background with BLACK letters = WHERE YOU CAN GO
Reference: AC 150/5340-18F (Standards for Airport Sign Systems); AIM 2-3-8.