Flex-O-Lite - Reflective Glass Beads for Airport Runways and Taxiways

Flex-O-Lite, an affiliate of PQ Corporation, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of reflective and industrial glass beads and produces the exclusive Type III airport glass bead.

Glass beads are used as the reflective agent in highway and airport pavement striping and safety products, including temporary pavement tape and reflective sheeting.

Flex-O-Lite Type III airport glass beads

Flex-O-Lite has three full-time facilities, manufacturing the highest quality AASHTO M-247, TTB 1325C Type I, III and IV glass beads. Our Type III (1.9) glass has an exclusive home in our flagship plant, located in Paris, TX. With our facilities running down the middle of the map, we provide you with solutions to your pavement marking needs, and ensure fast delivery.

We are the largest provider of Type III airport glass beads. These beads provide five to seven times the retro-reflectivity of Type I beads. Pilots navigating on airfields are taxed with safely transporting passengers in an environment where a catastrophic error is always seconds away. Our aim is to reduce runway incursions by providing the optimal visibility available. Runway and taxiway markings of paramount visibility include:

• Hold bars
• Threshold markings
• Aiming point markings
• Designation markings
• Geographical position markings
• Surface painted signs
• Non-movement boundary markings
• Centerlines
• Fixed distance markers
• Edge lines
• Touchdown zone markings and many more

Retro-reflective markers for airport runways

Listen to one of our customers and his success with moving to Type III airport glass beads. Bill Meyer, airport manager of Jacksonville Naval Air Station, says: "My pilots asked me: 'Why did you skip every other centerline mark (when painting)?' Actually, every other line was not missing, it was a Type III versus Type I bead evaluation. The Type III markings were visibly brighter, to myself and the pilots, from the air."

Type III beads far surpass the performance of the FAA-specified minimums. Existing Type III markings, even after six years, still exhibit performance characteristics in excess of acceptable standards.

Bill continues: "Type I beads offer minimal retroreflectivity and involve yearly striping. If your budget constrains striping to every three years (or more), Type III would be the answer to longevity concerns, retro-reflectivity values and ultimately save you money." Type III airport bead efficiency saves you time and money, while providing the brightest and safest airfield markings available.

Know that we are your retro-reflective partner, and are committed to the aviation industry, making sure you get the best and brightest results with every Flex-O-Lite order. We are dedicated to "Brighter Lines Save Lives", and work to prove it with our collection of airport beads. We look forward to working with you and thank you for your loyalty to providing safer, brighter lines.

Contact us

Our technical service department is available to assist your progress, build evaluations or provide demonstrations. We continue to support consultants, private contractors and airports in improving safety at all airfields. Also, our customer service staff are second-to-none in the industry.