Narrative:

Another pilot and myself were conducting currency training in a king air 300 at eastern virginia regional airport/shepherd field (mrb). Mrb has two primary taxiways; 'alpha' and 'echo.' alpha is located on the north side of mrb and has a large military ramp for C5A aircraft. The most eastern intersection is 'A1.' alpha is generally not used for civilian traffic. Alpha taxiway was recently extended east to connect with runway 26 at a 'displaced threshold.' the original alpha is a black color with yellow stripes while a 'new' portion of alpha taxiway is very 'white' in color (concrete?). Beyond the A1 intersection; yellow stripes identify an ILS critical area. Normally the yellow stripes are outlined in black to give contrast for better identification against a white background. Also; there were no identifying vertical signs by the ILS critical area markings. At this position; the ILS critical area is to the left of the displaced threshold and therefore; a long distance from the intersection turn to the runway. On this date; ground control asked us to taxi on alpha taxiway. As we were proceeding; ground did not instruct us onto 'A1' intersection and we taxied past the ILS critical area marking; which was not active (VMC and no actual IMC operations). After we pulled over to the side of the taxiway to performs pre-takeoff check; the tower (one controller usually works both frequencies); cleared us for taxi and for takeoff. However; as we taxied onto the runway; I did not see any hold line nor any markings at the 'new intersection' of the recently extended alpha taxiway. We continued with our pattern work for several landings and takeoffs; but on the next taxi and takeoff; ground control asked us to depart from the A1 intersection; which is before the ILS critical area marking and has a proper hold line. Recommendations: 1) contrast should be considered in airport markings. In this case; the ILS critical area yellowing markings should be outlined in black to add contrast to the markings and with vertical signs showing where the ILS critical area begins. 2) although pertinent notams did not prevent the use of the extended taxiway; ground control could have instructed us to use the A1 intersection. 3) a hold line with enhanced taxiway lead-in lines should identify the hold line at the 'new' intersection with the runway. (The work may be incomplete as the extended taxiway is very new to the airport.)

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: King air pilot reports that MRB has a new taxiway (extension of A Taxiway to the east) that has ILS critical hold lines; but no actual runway hold lines or sings.

Narrative: Another pilot and myself were conducting currency training in a King Air 300 at Eastern Virginia Regional Airport/Shepherd Field (MRB). MRB has two primary taxiways; 'Alpha' and 'Echo.' Alpha is located on the north side of MRB and has a large military ramp for C5A aircraft. The most eastern intersection is 'A1.' Alpha is generally not used for civilian traffic. Alpha Taxiway was recently extended east to connect with Runway 26 at a 'displaced threshold.' The original Alpha is a black color with yellow stripes while a 'new' portion of Alpha Taxiway is very 'white' in color (concrete?). Beyond the A1 Intersection; yellow stripes identify an ILS critical area. Normally the yellow stripes are outlined in black to give contrast for better identification against a white background. Also; there were no identifying vertical signs by the ILS critical area markings. At this position; the ILS critical area is to the left of the displaced threshold and therefore; a long distance from the intersection turn to the runway. On this date; Ground Control asked us to taxi on Alpha Taxiway. As we were proceeding; Ground did not instruct us onto 'A1' Intersection and we taxied past the ILS critical area marking; which was not active (VMC and no actual IMC operations). After we pulled over to the side of the taxiway to performs pre-takeoff check; the Tower (one Controller usually works both frequencies); cleared us for taxi and for takeoff. However; as we taxied onto the runway; I did not see any hold line nor any markings at the 'new intersection' of the recently extended Alpha Taxiway. We continued with our pattern work for several landings and takeoffs; but on the next taxi and takeoff; Ground Control asked us to depart from the A1 Intersection; which is before the ILS critical area marking and has a proper hold line. Recommendations: 1) Contrast should be considered in airport markings. In this case; the ILS critical area yellowing markings should be outlined in black to add contrast to the markings and with vertical signs showing where the ILS critical area begins. 2) Although pertinent NOTAMs did not prevent the use of the extended taxiway; Ground Control could have instructed us to use the A1 Intersection. 3) A hold line with enhanced taxiway lead-in lines should identify the hold line at the 'new' intersection with the runway. (The work may be incomplete as the extended taxiway is very new to the airport.)

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.