Prohibited Landing Marker - What It Is and How to Comply

A prohibited landing marker is a visual sign placed on a helipad, heliport or runway to indicate that aircraft must not land on that specific area. It is required by Saudi Arabian aviation authority standards, must meet colour, size and illumination criteria, and should be installed and maintained by a qualified provider.

Understanding the prohibited landing marker

The marker typically consists of a red‑white chevron or a red X painted on the surface, sometimes combined with flashing lights for night visibility. Its purpose is safety: it warns pilots of obstacles, construction zones, or sections of a landing area that are temporarily out of service. In Saudi Arabia, the GACA (General Authority of Civil Aviation) references the marker in its Aerodrome Standards, specifying minimum dimensions of 1 m per side for painted symbols and a flash rate of 1 Hz for illuminated versions.

Prohibited landing marker – regulatory context

GACA requires that any area marked as prohibited must be clearly visible from at least 5 NM during daylight and from 1 NM at night. The marking must be maintained in good condition; faded paint or dead lights are considered non‑compliant and can lead to operational penalties. Operators must submit a compliance report after installation, and inspections are carried out annually. If the marker is part of a larger heliport project, the design must be coordinated with other airfield lighting and signage to avoid confusion.

Design, installation and maintenance options

Northlane Solutions offers a full suite of services that cover every step of the process. Our Heliport Marking Services provide custom paint mixes that meet GACA colour standards and include anti‑slip additives for wet conditions. For night operations we supply LED‑based illuminated markers that integrate with existing airfield lighting control systems. These LEDs are rated for 50,000 hours, and we can program flash rates to match GACA specifications.

Installation is performed by certified technicians who follow a site‑specific safety plan. Typical lead time for a standard prohibited landing marker is 10‑14 working days from contract signing, including site survey, material procurement and final testing. Maintenance contracts are available; they include quarterly visual inspections, lamp replacement within 48 hours of failure, and repainting every 3 years to keep colour intensity within the required range. For larger heliport projects, you may also need Airfield Marking Materials that are compatible with runway and taxiway surfaces.

Choosing a supplier – why Northlane Solutions

We have operated in Saudi Arabia for more than a decade, supplying both civilian and military airfields. Our engineers understand the local climate, which means we select paints and LEDs that resist extreme heat and sand erosion. We also coordinate with GACA inspectors to streamline the approval process, reducing the time between installation and operational clearance.

Our after‑sales support includes a dedicated hotline, spare‑part stock in Riyadh, and on‑site service teams that can respond within 24 hours for critical repairs. When you work with us, you get a single point of contact for design, supply, installation and ongoing maintenance – eliminating the need to manage multiple contractors.

FAQ

What size must a prohibited landing marker be?

GACA mandates a minimum side length of 1 meter for painted symbols. For illuminated markers, the light source must cover at least the same area and be clearly visible from the required distances.

Can I use a temporary marker during construction?

Yes, a temporary prohibited landing marker can be installed, but it must still meet colour and illumination standards. It should be removed or replaced with a permanent solution once construction is complete.

How often should the marker be inspected?

Inspections are required at least once a year. If the marker is exposed to high traffic or harsh weather, a quarterly visual check is advisable.

What if the marker fails at night?

Our maintenance contracts guarantee lamp replacement within 48 hours. For critical sites we also offer a spare‑lamp kit that can be swapped on‑site to restore functionality immediately.