The numbers 9 and 27 on a runway indicate that the runway is oriented approximately

• A. 090 degrees and 270 degrees magnetic
• B. 100 degrees and 280 degrees magnetic
• C. 080 degrees and 260 degrees magnetic
• D. 090 degrees and 360 degrees magnetic

Answer: (A)

Runway numbers are the magnetic direction of the runway centerline, rounded to the nearest ten degrees, and the two ends are opposite directions, 180 degrees apart. So a runway labeled with 9 and 27 means one end is aimed about 90 degrees magnetic (due east) and the opposite end about 270 degrees magnetic (due west). Because these labels use magnetic heading, they reflect the field’s variation rather than true north. Therefore, the runway is oriented approximately 090 degrees magnetic on one end and 270 degrees magnetic on the other.