Marker Beacon – Glossary & Technical Overview

Marker Beacon: Definition and Role in Aviation

A marker beacon is a ground-based radio transmitter that emits a highly focused, vertical signal at 75 MHz, primarily used in aviation as part of the Instrument Landing System (ILS). Marker beacons provide pilots with a positive, unambiguous cue when their aircraft passes a specific geographical point along an instrument approach—most notably, the Final Approach Fix (FAF) or Decision Height (DH). When flown, the aircraft’s receiver triggers both a cockpit light and an audio tone, giving pilots key location information, especially in poor visibility.

Marker beacons are standardized globally by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national authorities like the FAA. They are identified by unique audio tones, Morse code patterns, and colored cockpit lights. While modern navigation systems such as DME and GPS are increasingly replacing marker beacons, these ground-based systems remain important at many airports, providing redundancy and a reliable backup.

Historical Context

Marker beacons date back to the early years of instrument flying in the 1930s and 1940s. Before sophisticated electronic navigation, pilots relied on fixed radio beacons for reporting points along airways, known as “fan markers.” With the adoption of ILS in the 1940s and 1950s, marker beacons became standard at critical points on approach paths, notably the Outer Marker (OM) and Middle Marker (MM), and sometimes the Inner Marker (IM).

As navigation technology advanced—with the introduction of VOR, DME, and satellite-based GPS—the use of enroute marker beacons declined. Marker beacons today are almost exclusively associated with ILS approaches, serving as fixed location cues on precision approaches.

Technical Overview

Frequency and Modulation

All marker beacons operate at a standardized frequency of 75 MHz in the VHF band. This uniformity ensures compatibility worldwide. Marker beacons use amplitude modulation (AM), with each type of marker beacon assigned a specific audio modulation frequency:

• Outer Marker (OM): 400 Hz
• Middle Marker (MM): 1300 Hz
• Inner Marker (IM) & Backcourse Marker (BCM): 3000 Hz

Each beacon broadcasts a distinctive Morse code audio pattern, which is heard in the cockpit and triggers a colored light on the instrument panel.

Transmission power is low (1–5 watts), and the antenna is designed to create a vertical “fan” pattern, covering a narrow area directly above the beacon—ensuring only aircraft on the correct path receive the signal.

Types of Marker Beacons

Outer Marker (OM)

The Outer Marker is usually located 4 to 7 nautical miles from the runway threshold, directly on the extended runway centerline. It marks the Final Approach Fix for precision approaches, indicating where the aircraft should intercept the ILS glideslope. When crossed, the cockpit blue light illuminates, and a 400 Hz Morse code dash is heard.

Middle Marker (MM)

The Middle Marker is placed 0.5 to 0.8 NM from the runway threshold, aligned with the localizer. It marks the approximate Decision Height (DH) for Category I ILS approaches. When crossed, the cockpit amber light illuminates, and a 1300 Hz dot-dash tone is heard.

Inner Marker (IM)

The Inner Marker is found only at airports supporting Category II or III approaches, located about 75–450 meters from the runway threshold. It indicates the final Decision Height for low-visibility operations. When crossed, the cockpit white light illuminates, and a rapid 3000 Hz dot tone is heard.

Backcourse Marker (BCM)

The Backcourse Marker is used for backcourse ILS approaches (the reciprocal of the standard ILS). It marks the Final Approach Fix for the backcourse procedure and uses a 3000 Hz tone, with a white or violet indicator. BCMs are rare today.

Cockpit Indication and Operation

Marker beacon receivers in the cockpit trigger a dedicated light and aural signal when the aircraft passes directly overhead. The cockpit panel typically displays three marker lights—blue (OM), amber (MM), and white (IM/BCM). Pilots can enable or disable the audio tone as needed. The signal is only received for a few seconds while the aircraft is within the narrow coverage area.

Antenna Design and Signal Coverage

Marker beacon antennas are engineered to transmit a highly directional, vertical signal, creating an elliptical coverage area on the ground (about 730 x 1,280 meters). The vertical orientation ensures only aircraft at the correct altitude and on approach receive the indication, preventing false triggers.

Marker Beacons in ILS Approaches

Marker beacons are integrated into ILS approaches as fixed reference points:

• OM: Confirms aircraft is established on the glideslope and final approach course; descent to minimums can begin.
• MM: Indicates arrival at Decision Height for Category I approaches; pilot must see the runway or execute a missed approach.
• IM: Used in low-visibility, Category II/III approaches; marks the last decision point before landing.

ILS approach charts show marker beacons as labeled rectangles (“OM”, “MM”, “IM”) along the approach path, often with Morse code and frequency details.

Historical Use in Enroute Navigation

Originally, “fan marker” beacons provided reporting points on airways, enabling pilots to report position to ATC under instrument flight rules. With the rise of VOR, DME, and GPS, airway marker beacons are now obsolete.

Compass Locators (Co-located NDBs)

Some marker beacons, especially in North America, are co-located with low-powered NDBs called compass locators (LOM, LMM, LIM). These allow pilots to track to the beacon using ADF, providing additional navigation redundancy. These are being phased out alongside marker beacons.

Charting and Data Standards

Aeronautical charts show marker beacons as rectangles labeled OM, MM, or IM, with Morse code and frequency. Information is published in Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) and encoded in digital formats like AIXM.

Modern Trends: Decline and Alternatives

Marker beacons are being phased out in favor of:

• DME: Provides continuous distance to a ground station, replacing fixed-point beacons.
• GNSS/GPS: Allows flexible, accurate, virtual waypoints for RNAV/RNP approaches.
• Lower cost and maintenance: Electronic and satellite systems require less ground infrastructure.

Despite this, marker beacons remain operational at many airports as backup or in regions lacking advanced navigation infrastructure.

Summary

A marker beacon is a simple, reliable, and standardized ground-based navigation aid that provides critical fixed-point cues to pilots during instrument approaches. While its use is declining, it remains a key component of legacy precision approach systems, valued for its clarity and redundancy in safety-critical environments.

Further Reading:

• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook, Chapter 8: Navigation Systems
• ICAO Annex 10, Volume I – Radio Navigation Aids
• FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, 1-1-9: Instrument Landing System (ILS)

Glossary Cross References:
Instrument Landing System (ILS) | Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) | Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) | Approach Lighting System lighting-system)