radio communications and atc light signals

#Radio communications and atc light signals pdf#

These signals also can be found in the 2010 Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) as Table 4-3-1 and are discussed in the 2010 AIM at 4-3-13.

#Radio communications and atc light signals pdf#

Perhaps more interesting though is that, although we know the light gun signal meanings, we don’t have much insight into situations that would result in receiving one light gun signal over another.įor example, why would you get a “Flashing Red” signal?īefore we go there, let us spend a moment back on the basics of what to do if we actually find ourselves unable to communicate with a tower?įor the sake of review, here’s a chart that you can click to open a printable PDF version from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Just another self-deprecating remark? Perhaps, especially since most of them end up able to fumble through the meanings of most of the signals as they think them over.Īpparently, many of us pilot types only think about the meaning of light gun signals when some flight instructor asks about them! Most pilots claim that they forgot about light gun signals at the conclusion of their student pilot days!

Yet, when I conduct flight reviews, or help students pursue an advanced certificate or rating, they often confide that they hope that they’ll never have a radio failure and be forced to interpret light gun signals from a control tower.

Most pilots learn to interpret light gun signals during their student pilot days.