Red and white checkered boxes near runways
 

Have you ever noticed that near most every airport runway you can inevitably find one or more big square structures, painted in big red & white check-marks? Do those big boxes contain something in particular? Are they painted the way they are just so they are visible to pilots? What's the deal? Curious minds want to know! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

They contain the glidescope equipment for the International Landing System (ILS). I could write a summary but there's a fuller explanation here:

http://home.sprynet.com/~jayschne/Ils2.htm

Painted very bold red/white chequerboard pattern so they stand out in low visibility. They're right alongside where planes touch down and it's bad news for all concerned if the plane hits the equipment.

Some countries also paint radio transmission towers near airports in the red/white pattern.

Quite true. Minor correction - ILS = Instrument Landing System.

Or the side the mountain, on the old Kai Tak approach.

[This message has been edited by nerd (edited 03-28-2003).]

Wow, great information gang! Thank you!

I've been wondering about this for over a year now. What will occupy my thoughts now as I gaze out over the tarmac? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif