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A runway is marked "27". What does this number represent?

Choices

  • ✓ A magnetic heading of about 270 degreescorrect

    The runway number is its magnetic heading to the nearest ten degrees with the last zero dropped.

  • The runway length in hundreds of feet

    The number encodes heading, not length.

  • The 27th runway built at the airport

    Runway numbers reflect heading, not construction order.

  • The elevation in hundreds of feet

    Elevation is not encoded in the runway number.

Why

A runway number is the magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees with the trailing zero dropped, so runway 27 aligns with roughly 270 degrees.

FAA source: AIM 2-3-3browse the reference library →

This is taught in Runway and Taxiway Markings — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

A runway is marked "27". What does this number represent? · PPL Free Ground School