The light gun is used by ATC towers, in the event of radio
failure, to move and sequence aircraft. In general all GREEN signals
permit progress except a flashing green in the air means return.
All RED signals mean don't or stop except on the ground the flashing
red means clear the runway. A flashing white has no meaning in
the air and means to return on the ground. With prior arrangement,
light signals may be used to leave or enter a controlled airport.
One way to learn the light signals is by their peculiarities:
Steady red means to stop on the ground and to stop in
the air which can only be done by circling.
The other red light means to move (leave) in the air and on
the ground. The flashing red on the ground tells you to
move clear from the runway or whereever you are. The area
is unsafe. In the air the same flashing red means the airport
is unsafe for landing which is another way of telling you to move
out of the area.
The alternating red and green suggests extreme caution
air or ground.
It is the only light other than the steady green, that means
the same both in the air and on the ground.
Steady green means to takeoff or land.
The flashing green clears you for taxi, and in the air,
to return to await landing clearance of steady green.
The flashing white only applies to ground movement and
tells you to return from whence you started. A steady white
has no meaning any time.
A good procedure for practice is to face the tower during run-up
and ask ground control for a light series. The sires may be continuous
or you can ask for specific series such as "return to parking",
"move from present position", etc. It is better to practice
this way than just to see lights.
Last Modified March 31, ©2025 TAGE.COM
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