Definition
A black square sign with a yellow letter or letters and a yellow border, used at airports to identify the taxiway on which the aircraft is currently located.
Plain English
A sign that tells you the name of the taxiway you are on right now. Black background, yellow letter, yellow border.
Context Anchor
Seen while taxiing on the airport movement area, often along the side of a taxiway or grouped with other taxiway signs.
Derivation
‘Location’ comes from Latin locus, meaning ‘a place.’ The sign tells you the place — the taxiway — you are on.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms exact position during ground movement and reduces the chance of entering the wrong area or runway.
Analogy
It works like a mall map marker that says “You are here,” except it names the taxiway your aircraft is already on.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a sign pointing toward a taxiway. A taxiway location sign tells you the taxiway you are already on.
Example Sentence 1
After exiting the runway, the pilot saw the taxiway location sign showing ‘B’ and reported to ground that he was clear of the runway on Bravo.
Example Sentence 2
Before crossing the hold line, the crew confirmed their position using the taxiway location sign at the intersection.