Designated Point

Designated Point in Airport Operations – In-Depth Guide

A Designated Point is a cornerstone of modern airport and airspace management, underpinning everything from safe aircraft movement to regulatory compliance and digital integration. Its role extends through air traffic control, ground operations, security, emergency planning, and aeronautical data management. This guide provides a comprehensive look at the types, uses, regulatory frameworks, and digital standards surrounding Designated Points.

Definition and Regulatory Context

A Designated Point is a published geographical location—often defined solely by latitude and longitude, with no physical navaid—used for operational, navigational, and security purposes. According to ICAO Annex 11 , a Designated Point is any specified location not marked by a radio navigation aid, used in defining an ATS route or for navigation and ATS functions. The FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) provides a parallel definition, emphasizing their role in surface movement and traffic pattern components.

In the AIXM (Aeronautical Information Exchange Model), Designated Points are digital data objects with required geodetic coordinates, a unique designator (often a 5-letter ICAO code), and associations to procedures or airport features.

Regulatory References

• ICAO Annex 11: Air Traffic Services—ATS routes, defined procedures, procedural control.
• FAA AIM: Operational procedures, airport diagrams, movement guidance.
• 14 CFR Part 139: Airport certification, safety, and emergency planning.
• AIXM: Digital encoding and data exchange for aeronautical information.

Key Attributes of a Designated Point

• Designator: Unique, often 5-letter ICAO code (e.g., “JESSE”).
• Geographical Coordinates: WGS-84 latitude and longitude (sometimes altitude).
• Type/Context: ATS route, terminal procedure, taxiway intersection, security point, emergency staging.
• Associations: Links to runways, taxiways, procedures (SIDs, STARs), and digital datasets.

This structure ensures that every Designated Point is unambiguous, standardized, and usable in both verbal communications and digital systems.

Applications in Airport and Airspace Operations

1. Defining ATS Routes:
Designated Points mark the lateral and vertical structure of airways, departures, and arrivals, enabling safe and predictable routing.

2. Sequencing and Traffic Pattern Control:
Controllers use these points to sequence aircraft, issue clearances, and provide separation.

3. Surface Movement and SMGCS:
On the ground, Designated Points correspond to taxiway intersections, holding positions, and “pink spots” (Geographic Position Markings) vital for low-visibility movement.

4. Security and Access:
Used as control points for perimeter security, access gates, and compliance with TSA and ICAO security protocols.

5. Emergency Planning:
Emergency response staging points are pre-defined for rapid assembly and deployment of resources.

6. Aeronautical Charting and Data Management:
Designated Points populate airport diagrams, approach plates, and electronic databases for pilots, controllers, and airport operators.

Major Related Concepts

Significant Point

A Significant Point (ICAO term) is any specified location used for defining an ATS route or flight path, including navaids, intersections, waypoints, and designated points. Not all are physical; many are defined by coordinates for reference in charts, procedures, and digital systems.

Waypoint

A Waypoint is a geodetically determined point used for RNAV and PBN navigation. Waypoints are central to modern procedure design and can be either “fly-by” (turn initiated before the point) or “fly-over” (turn after crossing).

Airport Reference Point (ARP)

The ARP is the geodetically defined center of an airport, used for identification, airspace design, and data integration.

Geographic Position Marking

“Pink spots” or Geographic Position Markings are surface markings used at critical taxiway points to support low-visibility taxiing as part of the SMGCS.

Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS)

SMGCS integrates procedures, markings, lighting, and technology for safe ground movement, especially under low visibility. Designated Points are core components.

ATS Route

An ATS Route is a specified path through airspace, defined by a sequence of Significant Points, for air traffic service provision.

Runway Threshold

A marked point at the beginning of the usable runway for landing, critical for approach, takeoff, and safety calculations.

Taxiway Intersection Hold Point

A marked, designated location where aircraft or vehicles must wait for ATC clearance, ensuring runway and taxiway safety.

Access Control Point

Designated locations for security access to airside and restricted areas, integrated into physical and digital security systems.

Emergency Response Staging Point

Predefined locations for assembling emergency resources, ensuring rapid and coordinated response to incidents.

Designator

A unique code assigned to points, navaids, or intersections, essential for clear communication and data management.

AIXM (Aeronautical Information Exchange Model)

The digital standard for encoding Designated Points, ensuring global data interoperability.

NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions)

Temporary Designated Points, such as for construction or emergencies, are published via NOTAM for time-sensitive operational awareness.

Airport Diagram

Official chart depicting the layout, identifiers, and key Designated Points at an airport.

Digital and Operational Integration

Designated Points are not just operational; they are core to digital transformation in aviation. AIXM provides a standardized way to encode, manage, and distribute these points globally, supporting EFBs, ATC automation, airport management, and international data exchange.

Temporary points, such as those created for construction or emergencies, are published in NOTAMs and rapidly integrated into digital and operational workflows.

Real-World Examples

• Example 1: The waypoint “JESSE” is used as the initial approach fix for an RNAV arrival to a major airport, defined by WGS-84 coordinates and published in the AIP and digital databases.
• Example 2: Taxiway intersection “K4” is a hold short point for runway crossing, marked on airport diagrams and integrated into SMGCS for low-visibility taxi operations.
• Example 3: “AOA Gate 5” is a controlled access point for vehicles entering the Air Operations Area, referenced in the airport security plan and digital access control systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Designated Points in digital aviation systems?
They enable standardized, unambiguous integration of operational reference points into EFBs, flight planning, and airport management systems, supporting automation and safety.

Who assigns and maintains Designated Points?
Airport operators, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), and regulatory authorities assign and maintain points, codes, and data, with global coordination via ICAO and digital standards like AIXM.

What happens if a Designated Point is temporarily changed?
Temporary changes are published via NOTAM, with digital and operational updates for the duration of the change.

Are all Designated Points visible on the airport surface?
No, many exist only in charts and databases. Some, like Geographic Position Markings, are marked on the pavement.

Summary

A Designated Point is a uniquely coded, published geographic location, fundamental to the structure, safety, and efficiency of airport and airspace operations. Its management—both operational and digital—ensures that airports, controllers, and pilots worldwide can coordinate complex movements, maintain security, and adapt to changing conditions with precision and confidence.

For further details on how Designated Points can optimize your airport operations, or to discuss digital aeronautical data solutions, contact us or explore our aviation data solutions .