If you line up on the runway and can only see three centerline stripes, approximately what is the visibility?

• A. About 600 feet
• B. About 120 feet
• C. About 1200 feet
• D. About 3000 feet

Answer: (A)

Visual cues from runway markings help gauge how far you are from the runway. The centerline is a repeating dashed pattern, and as you get closer, you’re able to see more of those dashes in a row. When you can only make out about three centerline stripes, that places you roughly 600 feet from the threshold. It’s a handy rule-of-thumb used during approach to estimate timing for touchdown. The other distances don’t match the typical view of just three dashes: being much closer would show more dashes, while being farther out would show fewer. This distance is approximate and can vary with lighting, weather, and viewing angle.