Aerodrome Ground Markings 1928

This drawing, Y-51, shows the specifications for some of the earliest standardised aerodrome ground markings in Australia, issued by the Civil Aviation Branch. It was drawn on 28 July 1928. The figures are titled:

1. Licenced Public Aerodrome - All Types

2. Licenced Public Aerodrome - Restricted Types

3. Emergency Landing Ground - All Directions

4. Emergency Landing Ground - One Way

5. Unofficial Landing Ground

6. Markings Showing Limits of Aerodrome

7. Method of marking Swamp, Rough Ground, Undergrowth etc.
8. Method of marking Washout, Soft Ground etc.

The basic dimension of the line-type markings was 50 ft, with a 3 ft line thickness. Unusable areas were to be marked with tins, painted white and sunk so that their tops were 2 in above the surface.

The photo below shows the arrival of Alan Cobham at Melbourne/Essendon shortly after 3.30 pm on Sunday, 15 August 1926. Cobham, with mechanic Ward, had just flown from England in record time. He would go on to complete the first ever return trip from England to Australia by air and gaina knighthood. Cobham's arrival at Essendon was greeted by a crowd estimated at between 100,000 and 150,000 - a sizeable portion of Melbourne's population at the time. Click here to read more about Cobham's flight.

At the far right, highlighted in yellow, is an earlier form of the aerodrome symbol. The cross inside the circle indicated that fuel and accommodation were available.

Aerodrome Ground Markings - 1928

This drawing, Y-51, shows the specifications for some of the earliest standardised aerodrome ground markings in Australia, issued by the Civil Aviation Branch. It was drawn on 28 July 1928. The figures are titled: 1. Licenced Public Aerodrome - All Types 2. Licenced Public Aerodrome - Restricted Types 3. Emergency Landing Ground - All Directions 4. Emergency Landing Ground - One Way 5. Unofficial Landing Ground 6. Markings Showing Limits of Aerodrome 7. Method of marking Swamp, Rough Ground, Undergrowth etc. 8. Method of marking Washout, Soft Ground etc. The basic dimension of the line-type markings was 50 ft, with a 3 ft line thickness. Unusable areas were to be marked with tins, painted white and sunk so that their tops were 2 in above the surface. The photo below shows the arrival of Alan Cobham at Melbourne/Essendon shortly after 3.30 pm on Sunday, 15 August 1926. Cobham, with mechanic Ward, had just flown from England in record time. He would go on to complete the first ever return trip from England to Australia by air and gaina knighthood. Cobham's arrival at Essendon was greeted by a crowd estimated at between 100,000 and 150,000 - a sizeable portion of Melbourne's population at the time. Click here to read more about Cobham's flight. At the far right, highlighted in yellow, is an earlier form of the aerodrome symbol. The cross inside the circle indicated that fuel and accommodation were available.

Click here for another view of the earlier style of marking at Longreach in 1925 Download the drawing as a .pdf file by clicking on the image above. (Drawing & photo: CAHS collection) Back to the main Airports and Aerodromes index Back to the main Items of General Interest index If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here