What does the term 'first third of the runway' mean?

• A. The portion of the runway from the approach end to one-third of its length
• B. The entire runway
• C. The middle third
• D. The last third

Answer: (A)

The phrase describes the portion of the runway that is closest to the approach end. Imagine dividing the runway into three equal sections along its length; the first third runs from the threshold at the approach end to the point that is one-third of the total runway length away from that threshold. This is not the entire runway, not the middle section, and not the last third. So the correct description is the portion from the approach end to one-third of its length.