Runway numbers and headings

Salinas has two runways. They cross each other. Each runway has a number at each end. That makes four numbers: 8, 26, 13, and 31.

Runway 8 and Runway 26 are the same pavement. Only the direction changes. The small number with an arrow is the runway heading. The heading is magnetic. Lined up on the runway, your heading indicator reads close to this number.

The runway number comes from the magnetic heading. Magnetic variation changes over the years. So runway numbers eventually change too. Runway 13 shows a heading of 135. Runway 31 shows 315.

A runway number tells you where that runway starts. Runway 8 starts at the west end and points east. Runway 31 starts at the southeast end. You take off or land toward the northwest, heading 315. Runway 13 starts at the northwest end. It points 135, toward the southeast.

When you hear Runway 31, picture the southeast end and a heading of 315. Aircraft should always take off into the wind, unless other factors like obstacles or weather make it unsafe. Say the METAR shows the wind from 330 at 10 knots.

METAR winds use true north. ATIS and the tower use magnetic north. Runway 31 points closest to that wind. So plan to depart on Runway 31. Next, we read runway length, width, and elevation.