Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness
No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
While taxiing at CVG; we were initially told to a gate on the south side of Terminal A. When we arrived at the gate; Operations told us to taxi around the terminal to park on the north side of Terminal A. I taxied to the east to go around the northeast side of the terminal. Once we arrived on the northeast side of the terminal; I departed the taxi line to the north because 2 fuel trucks were too close to the taxi line and I didn't think I had clearance around them. I then noticed that ahead of the aircraft (taxiing westbound along the northern portion of the north ramp); part of the ramp is unpaved. It is a large dirt/mud area. Although there was room to turn toward the gate; this area is not delineated by any taxi edge or hazardous area markings.I strongly suggest that this area be delineated at least by the cones with the flashing red lights. This would be extremely helpful at night to recognize and avoid this area.
The Reporter stated that he has rarely taxied on Ramp Taxilane 1 north of Terminal A and so was very surprised to see the unmarked and unprepared surface. The Reporter suggested some sort of marking to indicate in advance of approaching that area that it is not a ramp or area acceptable for taxiing. The airport diagram also does not clearly indicate an unprepared surface.
A pilot taxiing westbound on the Ramp 1 taxiway north of Terminal A at night; taxied north off the taxiway centerline to avoid fuel trucks and discovered a large unpaved; unlit; and unmarked area; but was able to avoid taxiing on it.