# Airport reference point

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An **aerodrome reference point**[1] (**ARP**), in some countries **airport reference point**,[2] is the *designated geographical location* of an [aerodrome](/source/Aerodrome).[3] The [geographic coordinates](/source/Geographic_coordinates) of an ARP are part of an aerodrome's entry in the [AIP](/source/Aeronautical_information_publication).

Internationally, the rules governing the establishment of an aerodrome reference point are defined by the [ICAO](/source/ICAO) in section 2.2 of Annex 14 to the [Convention on International Civil Aviation](/source/Chicago_Convention_on_International_Civil_Aviation). They state that:

2.2.1 An aerodrome reference point shall be established for an aerodrome. 2.2.2 The aerodrome reference point shall be located near the initial or planned geometric centre of the aerodrome and shall normally remain where first established. 2.2.3 The position of the aerodrome reference point shall be measured and reported to the aeronautical information services authority in degrees, minutes and seconds.

— [ICAO](/source/ICAO), *Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation*, [1]

In the [United States](/source/United_States), the term *airport reference point* is used and defined as "the approximate [geometric](/source/Geometric) center of all usable [runway](/source/Runway) surfaces",[2] computed as a weighted average of the end of runway coordinates.[4] The calculation references the lowest absolute value to not compute negative moments.[5]

Airports without hard surfaces are often not required to be surveyed, therefore the position of the ARP is approximated.

## References

1. "2.2 Aerodrome reference point". *Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – AERODROMES: aerodromes design and operations.*. Vol. 1. Montréal: [International Civil Aviation Organization](/source/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization). 2018. pp. 2–1. ISBN 978-92-9258-483-2. [OCLC 1136297937](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1136297937)

1. ["Aeronautical Aviation Publication – GEN 1.7 Differences From ICAO Standards, Recommended Practices and Procedures"](https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part1_gen_section_1.7.html). [Federal Aviation Administration](/source/Federal_Aviation_Administration)

1. "1.1 Definitions". *Annex 14 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation – AERODROMES: aerodromes design and operations.*. Vol. 1. Montréal: [International Civil Aviation Organization](/source/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization). 2018. pp. 1–2. ISBN 978-92-9258-483-2. [OCLC 1136297937](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1136297937)

1. ["ARP Copmputation"](https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/AERO/arpcomp/arpframe.html). *www.ngs.noaa.gov*. Retrieved 2020-08-03.

1. ["Appendix 2 – Aeronautical Survey Guidance and Specifications"](https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/advisory_circular/150-5300-18A/150_5300_18a_part3.pdf). *Federal Aviation Administration*. September 15, 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Airport reference point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_reference_point) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_reference_point?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.