Definition
Painted markings on a runway that identify the touchdown zone — the area where landing aircraft are expected to make first contact with the surface. They appear as pairs of rectangular white stripes arranged symmetrically about the runway centerline at fixed distances from the threshold, and on permanently closed runways they are obliterated along with the threshold, runway designation, and aiming point markings.
Plain English
White stripes painted on the runway that show pilots where they should aim to land. They mark the zone where the wheels are expected to first touch the surface.
Context Anchor
Seen on runway surfaces and in airport marking discussions, including instructions for how closed runways are marked or have old landing markings removed.
Derivation
“Touchdown” comes from the idea of the aircraft’s wheels touching down on the runway. “Markings” are painted signs or lines on a surface. Together, the phrase means painted runway marks connected with the landing touchdown area.
Why Pilots Care
They help ensure the aircraft lands in the safe portion of the runway, reducing the chance of landing too short or too far down the pavement.
Intuition Check
Do not read “touchdown markings” as tire skid marks or proof of where one airplane actually landed. In FAA runway marking use, they are planned painted markings that identify the intended touchdown area.
Example Sentence 1
On short final, the instructor pointed out the touchdown markings and reminded the student to plant the mains in that zone, not float past it.
Example Sentence 2
Runway markings include touchdown markings to guide the landing point accurately.