Signals
Learning objectives
- State the meaning of each aerodrome light signal for an aircraft in flight and on the ground, and how to acknowledge it.
- Identify the ground signals shown in the signal area and state what each tells you.
- Distinguish distress signals from urgency signals, and identify the warning given to an aircraft near a restricted, prohibited or danger area.
- Explain where the marshaller stands and interpret the main marshalling and pilot-to-marshaller hand signals for a light aeroplane.
The idea
Radios fail, and some aerodromes have no radio at all. For those moments aviation keeps a small, fixed vocabulary of lights, shapes and gestures that every pilot in the world is expected to read the same way. A coloured lamp from the tower, a painted panel on the grass, a person in a vest with two wands: each carries one meaning, and you must act on it. The trick is that the same lamp can mean different things in the air and on the ground, so you learn each signal together with its context.
The ground rules for signals
When an aircraft sees or receives any of the SERA signals, it must act as that signal's meaning requires. These signals have only the meaning given to them and are used only for that purpose, and no other signal likely to be confused with them may be used.
The signals are also what you use in case of radio communication failure; that procedure is taught on page 090-04-01. Distress and urgency radio procedures are taught on page 090-05-01.
Light signals from the tower
Light signals come from aerodrome control and are directed towards the aircraft concerned. The same light has different meanings for an aircraft in flight and on the ground. They matter to you mainly when your radio fails at a controlled aerodrome and at aerodromes using visual control.
- Steady green: in flight, cleared to land; on the ground, cleared for take-off.
- Steady red: in flight, give way to other aircraft and continue circling; on the ground, stop.
- Series of green flashes: in flight, return for landing, and the landing clearance itself follows in due course; on the ground, cleared to taxi.
- Series of red flashes: in flight, aerodrome unsafe, do not land; on the ground, taxi clear of the landing area in use.
- Series of white flashes: in flight, land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron, with clearances to land and to taxi given in due course; on the ground, return to starting point on the aerodrome.
- Red pyrotechnic, to aircraft in flight: notwithstanding any previous instructions, do not land for the time being.
| Signal | Aircraft in flight | Aircraft on the ground |
|---|---|---|
Steady green Steady light | Cleared to land | Cleared for take-off |
Steady red Steady light | Give way to other aircraft and continue circling | Stop |
Green flashes Flashing light | Return for landing (landing clearance follows in due course)* | Cleared to taxi |
Red flashes Flashing light | Aerodrome unsafe: do not land | Taxi clear of the landing area in use |
White flashes Flashing light | Land at this aerodrome, then go to the apron (clearances follow in due course)* | Return to your starting point on the aerodrome |
Red pyrotechnic (flare or rocket) Pyrotechnic | Do not land for the time being, whatever you were told before | — (not used for aircraft on the ground) |
| * Footnotes of Table AP 1-1: a green-flash or white-flash signal in flight is not the clearance itself. Lamp icons: a plain disc is a steady light, a disc with rays is a flashing light, and a starburst with a trail is a pyrotechnic. Always read the colour name and the pattern in the first column. | ||
Describe this figure
One row per signal, with one column for an aircraft in flight and one for an aircraft on the ground. Steady green means cleared to land in flight, and cleared for take-off on the ground. Steady red means give way and keep circling, and stop. Green flashes mean return for landing, and cleared to taxi. Red flashes mean aerodrome unsafe, and taxi clear of the landing area. White flashes mean land and go to the apron, and return to your starting point. A red pyrotechnic means do not land for the time being; the ground cell is a dash. A footnote says that green and white flashes in flight are not the clearance itself.
The table has two columns, "Aircraft in flight" and "Aircraft on the ground", and six rows, each with a lamp icon labelled with its colour and "STEADY" or "FLASHING". The red pyrotechnic row is filled only in the in-flight column, and a footnote on green and white flashes says the clearance follows in due course.
Describe this figure
Without JavaScript, the figure shows one example: a green flashing lamp, with the context aircraft in flight, and the question what the signal means. With JavaScript, the trainer picks a random signal and a random context, either in flight or on the ground. You choose one of four meanings with the keyboard or the pointer. The answer says correct or not correct, gives the meaning and the SERA reference, and keeps a score. A checkbox adds vehicles and pedestrians, where steady green is not used and the signals mean cross, stop, move off or vacate.
Try the light-signal trainer: it shows a lamp pattern and a situation, you pick the meaning, and it gives the correct one.
Acknowledging a light signal
An aircraft in flight acknowledges by day by rocking its wings, except on the base and final legs of the approach. By night it flashes the landing lights on and off twice or, if they are not fitted, switches the navigation lights on and off twice.
An aircraft on the ground acknowledges by day by moving the ailerons or rudder. By night it flashes the landing lights on and off twice or, if not fitted, switches the navigation lights on and off twice.
The reason for no wing-rocking on base and final is that you are low and slow there, where rocking the wings would add risk. The rule text gives no reason, so this is our explanation.
Describe this figure
Four panels show the acknowledgement by day and night, in flight and on the ground. By day in flight, the pilot rocks the wings, except on the base and final legs of the approach. By day on the ground, the pilot moves the ailerons or the rudder. By night, in flight or on the ground, the pilot flashes the landing lights on and off twice; with no landing light, the pilot switches the navigation lights on and off twice.
The strip has four panels: day in flight (aeroplane with curved arrows at the wingtips, "not on base or final"), night in flight (landing light flashing twice), day on the ground (aileron and rudder deflection arrows) and night on the ground (landing light flashing twice).
Signals to vehicles and pedestrians
When visual signals are adequate or the radio has failed, the tower also signals vehicles and pedestrians: green flashes give permission to cross the landing area or move onto a taxiway; steady red means stop; red flashes mean move off the landing area or taxiway and watch out for aircraft; white flashes mean vacate the manoeuvring area in accordance with local instructions. In an emergency, or if those signals are not observed, on runways or taxiways with a lighting system, flashing lights mean "vacate the runway and observe the tower for light signal".
Ground signals in the signal area
The signal area is an area on an aerodrome used to display ground signals. Horizontal signals are read from the air in the signal area. The take-off direction digits are displayed vertically and read from the manoeuvring area.
- A horizontal red square panel with two yellow diagonals means landings are prohibited, and the prohibition is liable to be prolonged.
- A horizontal red square panel with one yellow diagonal means that, because of the bad state of the manoeuvring area or any other reason, special precautions must be observed when approaching to land or landing.
- A horizontal white dumb-bell means aircraft must land, take off and taxi on runways and taxiways only.
- The same dumb-bell with a black bar across each circular end, perpendicular to the shaft, means land and take off on runways only; other manoeuvres, such as taxiing, need not be confined to runways and taxiways.
- Crosses of a single contrasting colour, white on runways and yellow on taxiways, displayed horizontally on runways, taxiways or parts of them, mean the area is unfit for the movement of aircraft.
- A horizontal white or orange landing T gives the direction for landing and take-off: parallel to the shaft of the T, towards the cross arm. At night it is illuminated or outlined in white lights.
- Two digits displayed vertically at or near the control tower tell aircraft on the manoeuvring area the take-off direction, in tens of degrees to the nearest 10° of the magnetic compass; for example "27" means about 270° magnetic.
- A right-hand arrow of conspicuous colour, in the signal area or horizontally at the end of the runway or strip in use, means turns are to be made to the right before landing and after take-off. Left turns are the normal rule, which is taught on page 010-05-02.
- The letter C, black on a yellow background and displayed vertically, marks the location of the air traffic services reporting office.
- A double white cross displayed horizontally in the signal area means the aerodrome is being used by sailplanes and sailplane flights are being performed.
Joining overhead at an aerodrome without radio is a common moment to read the signal area: look for the landing T, any panels and the arrow before you descend.
Landing prohibited
Red square with two yellow diagonals. May last a long time.
Take special care
Red square with one yellow diagonal. Poor manoeuvring area or other reason.
Hard surfaces only
White dumb-bell. Land, take off and taxi on runways and taxiways only.
Runways for landing and take-off
Dumb-bell with a black bar across each disc. Taxiing need not stay on hard surfaces.
Area unfit for aircraft
White cross on a runway, yellow cross on a taxiway.
Landing T
Land and take off parallel to the shaft, towards the cross arm.
Take-off direction
Two digits at the tower: tens of degrees, nearest 10°, magnetic. 27 means about 270°.
Turn right
Right-hand arrow. Turns to the right before landing and after take-off.
Reporting office
Black letter C on a yellow board: the air traffic services reporting office.
Sailplanes in use
Double white cross. The aerodrome is being used by sailplanes.
Describe this figure
Each panel shows one ground signal on a green square, with its name and meaning below. A red square with two yellow diagonals means landings are prohibited; with one diagonal it means take special care. A white dumb-bell means runways and taxiways only; with a black bar across each disc it means runways only for landing and take-off. A white cross on a runway or a yellow cross on a taxiway means the area is unfit for aircraft. A landing T shows the direction to land and take off, parallel to the shaft and towards the cross arm. Two digits at the tower give the take-off direction in tens of degrees, magnetic: 27 means about 270 degrees. A right-hand arrow means turn right before landing and after take-off. A black letter C on a yellow board marks the air traffic services reporting office. A long horizontal white bar crossed by two vertical bars means sailplanes are using the aerodrome.
The set shows each ground signal as a flat panel on a green square, seen from above, with a one-line caption: red squares with two diagonals and with one, the plain and barred dumb-bells, white and yellow crosses on runway and taxiway segments, the landing T with a ghost aeroplane landing towards the cross arm, the stacked digits "2" and "7" beside a tower, the right-hand arrow, the black C on yellow, and the double white cross. The shapes are schematic, drawn from the rule descriptions.
Aerodrome markings and signs other than these ground signals are taught on page 010-09-03.
Distress and urgency signals
An aircraft in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract attention, make its position known and get help. The listed signals do not limit it.
Distress signals mean "grave and imminent danger threatens, and immediate assistance is requested". They may be used together or separately:
- SOS by radiotelegraphy or any other signalling method (Morse · · · — — — · · ·);
- the spoken word MAYDAY by radiotelephony;
- a data-link message carrying the meaning of MAYDAY;
- rockets or shells throwing red lights, fired one at a time at short intervals;
- a parachute flare showing a red light;
- transponder set to Mode A Code 7700.
There are two groups of urgency signals. The first means "I have difficulties that force me to land, but I do not need immediate assistance": repeatedly switching the landing lights on and off, or repeatedly switching the navigation lights on and off in a way distinct from flashing navigation lights. The second means "I have a very urgent message about the safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicle, or of someone on board or in sight": XXX by radiotelegraphy or other signalling method (Morse — · · — repeated three times), the spoken words PAN, PAN by radiotelephony, or a data-link message carrying the meaning of PAN, PAN.
In short, distress is grave and imminent danger with immediate help needed, and urgency is a difficulty or concern without that need. Transponder codes in general are taught on page 010-06-02.
| Way of signalling | Distress | Urgency: I must land | Urgency: very urgent safety message |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Grave and imminent danger. Immediate help is requested. | The pilot has difficulties that force a landing, but needs no immediate help. | A very urgent message about the safety of a ship, an aircraft or other vehicle, or of someone on board or in sight. |
| Spoken (radiotelephony) | MAYDAY | — | PAN, PAN |
| Morse or other signalling | SOS: · · · — — — · · · | — | XXX: — · · — sent three times |
| Data link | A message that carries the meaning of MAYDAY | — | A message that carries the meaning of PAN, PAN |
| Lights and pyrotechnics | Red rockets or shells, fired one at a time at short intervals; or a parachute flare showing a red light | Landing lights switched on and off repeatedly; or navigation lights switched on and off repeatedly, in a way different from flashing navigation lights | — |
| Transponder | Mode A code 7700 | — | — |
| Distress signals may be used together or separately. A dash means that this way of signalling is not listed for that group. | |||
Describe this figure
The table has one column for distress and two for urgency, and one row for each way of signalling. Distress means grave and imminent danger with immediate help requested: the spoken word MAYDAY, SOS in Morse, a data-link message with the meaning of MAYDAY, red rockets or shells fired one at a time or a red parachute flare, and the transponder on Mode A code 7700. The first urgency group means the pilot must land but needs no immediate help: landing lights or navigation lights switched on and off repeatedly. The second urgency group is a very urgent message about safety: the spoken words PAN, PAN, XXX in Morse sent three times, or a data-link message with the meaning of PAN, PAN.
The table has two columns. "Distress" lists MAYDAY, SOS, red rockets one at a time, a red parachute flare, 7700 and data-link MAYDAY. "Urgency" has two boxes: "must land, no immediate help" with landing lights or navigation lights switched on and off repeatedly, and "very urgent safety message" with PAN PAN, XXX in Morse and data-link PAN PAN.
Warning near restricted areas
By day or night, a series of projectiles fired from the ground at 10-second intervals, each bursting into red and green lights or stars, tells an unauthorised aircraft that it is flying in, or about to enter, a restricted, prohibited or danger area and must take whatever remedial action is necessary.
The areas themselves are taught on page 010-05-02.
Remedial action in practice: turn away from the area by the shortest safe route, check your position, and contact the ATS unit to confirm. SERA says only "remedial action as may be necessary".
Interception signals between aircraft are not in this set. They are taught on page 010-05-05.
Marshalling signals
A signalman, or marshaller, gives standard marshalling signals clearly and precisely. Only persons trained, qualified and approved under Union or national law may do so, and the marshaller wears a distinctive fluorescent identification vest. By day, signalling ground staff use daylight-fluorescent wands, table-tennis bats or gloves; at night or in low visibility, illuminated wands. The meaning is the same whether hands, bats, wands or torches are used.
For fixed-wing aircraft the marshaller faces the aircraft and stands on the left side, where best seen by the pilot. Before marshalling, the marshaller makes sure the area the aircraft is guided into is clear of objects it might strike. Many aircraft designs do not let the pilot see the wing-tip paths from the cockpit, which is one reason marshalling exists.
The signals below are the subset for light aeroplanes; the signals for hovering helicopters are not used for aeroplanes.
- Identify gate: both arms fully extended straight above the head, wands pointing up.
- Proceed to next marshaller or as directed by tower or ground control: both arms pointed up, then moved out to the sides, wands pointing towards the next marshaller or the taxi area.
- Straight ahead: arms extended and bent at the elbows, wands moved up and down between chest and head height.
- Turn left, from the pilot's view: right arm and wand held out at 90° to the body while the left hand makes the "come ahead" movement. Turn right is the mirror image, with the left arm held out. The speed of the movement shows the rate of turn.
- Slow down: extended arms moved down in a "patting" gesture, wands going up and down between waist and knees.
- Normal stop: arms and wands fully extended at 90° to the sides, then moved slowly above the head until the wands cross. Emergency stop: arms and wands thrust abruptly to the top of the head, wands crossed.
- Set brakes: hand raised just above shoulder height, open palm, closed into a fist with eye contact, then the marshaller waits for the crew's thumbs-up. Release brakes is the reverse.
- Chocks inserted: arms fully above the head, wands jabbed inwards until they touch. Chocks removed: wands jabbed outwards, and chocks are not removed until the crew authorises it.
- Start engine: right arm raised to head level, wand up, circular hand motion, while the left arm, raised above the head, points to the engine to start. Cut engines: arm with wand extended forward at shoulder level, then drawn across the throat from left to right shoulder in a slicing motion.
- Hold position or stand by: arms and wands fully extended downwards at 45° to the sides, held until the aircraft is clear for the next manoeuvre.
- Dispatch aircraft: a standard salute with the right hand and/or wand, keeping eye contact until the aircraft begins to taxi.
- Affirmative or all clear: right arm raised to head level with wand pointing up, or thumbs-up shown, left arm at the side by the knee.
Arriving and parking
Proceed to next marshaller
Arms up, then out to the sides, wands pointing to the next marshaller or the taxi area.
Straight ahead
Elbows bent, wands moved up and down between chest and head height.
Turn left (pilot's view)
Arm and wand held out at 90° on the side of the turn, the other hand beckoning “come ahead”. Faster movement means a faster turn.
Turn right (pilot's view)
Arm and wand held out at 90° on the side of the turn, the other hand beckoning “come ahead”. Faster movement means a faster turn.
Slow down
Arms out and down, wands patted up and down between waist and knees.
Identify gate
Both arms straight up, wands pointing up.
Normal stop
Arms out at 90°, then moved slowly up until the wands cross above the head.
Emergency stop
Arms and wands thrown abruptly to the top of the head, wands crossed.
Hold position, stand by
Arms and wands straight down and out at 45°, held until the aircraft may move on.
Shutting down
Set brakes
Hand raised just above shoulder height, open palm closing to a fist. The marshaller waits for the crew thumbs-up.
Cut engines
Arm and wand out at shoulder level, then drawn across the throat in a slicing motion.
Chocks inserted
Arms fully above the head, wands jabbed inwards until they touch.
Leaving
Start engine
One arm up with a circling wand, the other arm above the head pointing at the engine to start.
Chocks removed
Wands jabbed outwards. The marshaller does not remove chocks until the crew allows it.
Release brakes
Fist at shoulder height opening to an open palm. The marshaller waits for the crew thumbs-up.
All clear, affirmative
Right arm raised to head height with the wand up, left arm down by the knee. Also used as a servicing signal.
Dispatch aircraft
A standard salute with the right hand or wand, eye contact kept until the aircraft starts to taxi.
Describe this figure
The figures show the marshaller as the pilot sees them from the cockpit, so the marshaller's right arm is on the left of the picture. Arriving and parking: proceed to the next marshaller; straight ahead; turn left and turn right as the pilot sees it, with the arm out at 90 degrees on the side of the turn; slow down; identify gate; normal stop and emergency stop; hold position. Shutting down: set brakes, with the open palm closing to a fist; cut engines, with a slicing motion across the throat; chocks inserted, with the wands jabbed inwards until they touch. Leaving: start engine; chocks removed, with the wands jabbed outwards; release brakes; all clear; dispatch, with a salute. Dashed outlines show where the arms started, and arrows show the movement.
The set shows a stick figure in a vest facing the viewer, as the cockpit sees it, with wands coloured, in taxi-and-park order. Panels cover proceed to next marshaller, straight ahead, turn left and turn right with a small aeroplane arrow, slow down, normal stop beside emergency stop, identify gate, brakes, chocks, start and cut engines, hold, all clear and dispatch. The caption says the marshaller stands on the aeroplane's left, where best seen by the pilot.
Pilot to marshaller
The pilot's hands must be plainly visible, and lit as needed. Brakes engaged: fingers extended horizontally in front of the face, then clench the fist. Brakes released: fist, then extend the fingers. Insert chocks: arms extended, palms outwards, hands moved inwards to cross in front of the face. Remove chocks: hands crossed in front of the face, palms outwards, arms moved outwards. Ready to start engine: raise the number of fingers equal to the engine number. The moment the fist closes marks brake engagement and the moment the fingers open marks brake release. Engines are numbered, for the marshaller facing the aircraft, from right to left.
Brakes engaged
Fingers out flat in front of the face, then clench a fist. The fist closing marks the moment of braking.
Brakes released
Clenched fist in front of the face, then open the fingers. The fingers opening marks the release.
Insert chocks
Arms out, palms facing outwards. Bring the hands inwards until they cross in front of the face.
Remove chocks
Hands crossed in front of the face, palms facing outwards. Move the arms outwards.
Ready to start engine
Raise as many fingers as the number of the engine. Number 1 is the port outer engine.
Describe this figure
Brakes engaged: the fingers are held out flat in front of the face, then clenched into a fist; the moment the fist closes is the moment of braking. Brakes released: a fist in front of the face, then the fingers open. Insert chocks: arms out with the palms facing outwards, then the hands move inwards and cross in front of the face. Remove chocks: hands crossed in front of the face with the palms outwards, then the arms move outwards. Ready to start engine: the pilot raises as many fingers as the number of the engine. Number 1 is the port outer engine.
The cockpit-window view shows two hands: brakes on and off, chocks in and out, and fingers raised for the engine number.
Technical and servicing hand signals are used only when verbal communication is not possible, and the marshaller must get an acknowledgement from the flight crew. They are not taught here.
Emergency hand signals
The standard emergency hand signals between the rescue and fire-fighting incident commander or firefighters and the cockpit or cabin crew are minimum signals. For the cockpit crew they should be given from the left front side of the aircraft. Recommend evacuation: arm held out horizontally, hand raised at eye level, beckoning backwards. Recommend stop: arms crossed at the wrists in front of the head. Emergency contained: arms out and down at 45°, moved inwards below the waist until the wrists cross, then back out. Fire: right hand fanning from shoulder to knee while the left hand points at the fire. At night, the same with wands.
In the real world
Your radio fails while you are circling a controlled aerodrome. Expect light signals from the tower, know both columns of the table, and acknowledge each one. At an aerodrome without radio, read the signal area before you descend.
Exam traps
"Green flashes in flight mean cleared to land." They mean return for landing; the landing clearance follows. Only steady green means cleared to land.
"Steady red in flight means the aerodrome is unsafe." Steady red in flight means give way and continue circling. Red flashes mean aerodrome unsafe. On the ground, steady red means stop and red flashes mean taxi clear of the landing area.
"White flashes on the ground mean go to the apron." On the ground they mean return to starting point on the aerodrome. In flight they mean land here and proceed to the apron.
"On the ground by day, acknowledge by flashing lights." By day on the ground you move the ailerons or rudder. Flashing lights twice is the night method.
"One yellow diagonal means landing prohibited." One diagonal means special precautions. Two diagonals mean landings are prohibited.
"Squawk 7700 and flashing landing lights both mean urgency." 7700 is a distress signal. Repeated on-off switching of landing or navigation lights is an urgency signal.
Explain it back
Your radio has failed on the downwind leg of a controlled aerodrome. Explain in your own words which light signals you might see, what each means in flight, and how you acknowledge by day and by night. Then say what you would look for in the signal area if there were no tower at all.
Self-check
-
Your radio has failed and you are circling a controlled aerodrome. The tower shows you a series of green flashes. What does it mean?mcq · easy
Show answer
Green flashes to an aircraft in flight mean return for landing, with the landing clearance following. Only steady green means cleared to land. Steady red means give way and continue circling. Red flashes mean the aerodrome is unsafe.
Reference: SERA Appendix 1, Table AP 1-1; SERA Appendix 1, 3.1.1
-
In the signal area you see a horizontal red square panel with one yellow diagonal. What does it tell you?mcq · medium
Show answer
A red square with one yellow diagonal means special precautions on approach and landing, for example because of the bad state of the manoeuvring area. Two diagonals would mean landings are prohibited. Runways only is the dumb-bell with bars, and sailplane activity is a double white cross.
Reference: SERA Appendix 1, 3.2.2.1; SERA Appendix 1, 3.2.1.1
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You are flying VFR and a series of projectiles bursting into red and green lights is fired from the ground at 10-second intervals. What does this tell you?mcq · medium
Show answer
Red and green projectiles every 10 seconds warn an unauthorised aircraft that it is in, or about to enter, a restricted, prohibited or danger area. It must take whatever remedial action is necessary. They are not a landing clearance. Interception uses different signals taught elsewhere, and sailplane activity is shown by a double white cross.
Reference: SERA Appendix 1, 2.1
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You have a problem that will force you to land, but you do not need immediate help. Which signal fits this situation?mcq · medium
Show answer
Repeated switching of landing or navigation lights is an urgency signal meaning difficulties that force you to land without immediate assistance. 7700, a red parachute flare and MAYDAY are all distress signals, for grave and imminent danger with immediate assistance requested.
Reference: SERA Appendix 1, 1.3.1; SERA Appendix 1, 1.2.1
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A marshaller guides you to your parking position. Where do they stand relative to your aeroplane, and what is the difference between the normal stop and the emergency stop signal?short · hard
Show answer
For fixed-wing aircraft the marshaller faces the aircraft and stands on the left side, where best seen by the pilot. For the normal stop, arms and wands are fully extended at 90° to the sides and then moved slowly above the head until the wands cross. For the emergency stop, arms and wands are thrust abruptly to the top of the head, wands crossed. The abruptness is what separates them.
Reference: SERA Appendix 1, 4.1.1(a); SERA Appendix 1, 4.1 signals 6(a), 6(b)
Key concepts
Written with ASD-STE100 writing principles: short sentences, one topic per sentence, active voice, one word for one meaning.
Steady light signals
A steady green light means cleared to land in flight, or cleared for take-off on the ground. A steady red light means give way to other aircraft and keep circling in flight, or stop on the ground. A red pyrotechnic to an aircraft in flight means do not land for the time being.
Rule: SERA App. 1, Table AP 1-1
Flashing light signals
Green flashes mean return for landing in flight, or cleared to taxi on the ground. Red flashes mean the aerodrome is unsafe and do not land, in flight, or taxi clear of the landing area on the ground. White flashes mean land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron in flight, or return to the starting point on the ground.
Rule: SERA App. 1, Table AP 1-1 and its footnotes
Acknowledging light signals
By day, an aircraft in flight rocks its wings, except on the base and final legs of the approach. By day, an aircraft on the ground moves its ailerons or rudder.
Rule: SERA App. 1, 3.1.2(a), (b)
Do: at night, flash the landing lights on and off twice, or the navigation lights if no landing lights are fitted.
Distress and urgency
Distress means grave and imminent danger that needs immediate assistance, signalled by MAYDAY, SOS, red lights or code 7700. Urgency means a difficulty that forces a landing, or a very urgent safety message, with no need for immediate help. The urgency signals are PAN PAN, XXX, and the landing or navigation lights switched on and off repeatedly.
Rule: SERA App. 1, 1.2.1, 1.3.1, 1.3.2
Ground signals
A red square panel with two yellow diagonals means landings are prohibited. A white dumb-bell means use runways and taxiways only, and a dumb-bell with black bars means runways only for take-off and landing. A white or orange landing T shows the direction for landing and take-off, towards the cross arm.
Rule: SERA App. 1, 3.2.1.1, 3.2.3.1, 3.2.3.2, 3.2.5.1
Area warning signals
Red-and-green projectiles fired from the ground at 10-second intervals warn an unauthorised aircraft. The warning means the aircraft is in, or about to enter, a restricted, prohibited or danger area. The aircraft must take whatever remedial action is necessary.
Rule: SERA App. 1, 2.1
Marshalling signals
The marshaller stands on the left side of a fixed-wing aircraft, where the pilot can best see the signals. A normal stop has arms and wands at 90° to the sides, moved above the head until the wands cross. An emergency stop has arms and wands thrust to the top of the head, with the wands crossed.
Rule: SERA App. 1, 4.1.1(a), 4.1 signals 6(a), 6(b)
Standard signals
When an aircraft sees or receives a standard signal, it must act as the meaning of the signal requires. Standard signals have only their stated meaning.
Rule: SERA.3301(a), (b)
Do not: use any other signal that is likely to be confused with a standard signal.
Flashcards
Print them: A6 landscape cards (PDF, front and back) · 4 cards per A4 landscape sheet (PDF, cut lines) · Key figures deck (PDF, 8 figures)
Print double-sided, flip on the short edge.
010-05-04-01Steady green light, in flight?
Cleared to land.
010-05-04-02Steady green light, on the ground?
Cleared for take-off.
010-05-04-03Steady red light, in flight?
Give way to other aircraft and continue circling.
010-05-04-04Steady red light, on the ground?
Stop.
010-05-04-05Series of green flashes, in flight?
Return for landing. The landing clearance follows later.
010-05-04-06Series of green flashes, on the ground?
Cleared to taxi.
010-05-04-07Series of red flashes, in flight?
The aerodrome is unsafe. Do not land.
010-05-04-08Series of red flashes, on the ground?
Taxi clear of the landing area in use.
010-05-04-09Series of white flashes, in flight?
Land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron.
010-05-04-10Series of white flashes, on the ground?
Return to the starting point on the aerodrome.
010-05-04-11Red pyrotechnic to an aircraft in flight?
Do not land for the time being.
010-05-04-12How does an aircraft in flight acknowledge a light signal by day?
Rock its wings, except on the base and final legs of the approach.
010-05-04-13How does an aircraft acknowledge a light signal at night?
Flash the landing lights on and off twice. If not fitted, switch the navigation lights on and off twice.
010-05-04-14How does an aircraft on the ground acknowledge a light signal by day?
Move the ailerons or rudder.
010-05-04-15What is distress?
Grave and imminent danger that needs immediate assistance. Signals include MAYDAY, SOS, red lights and transponder code 7700.
010-05-04-16What is urgency?
A difficulty that forces a landing, or a very urgent safety message. No immediate assistance is needed. Signals include PAN PAN and XXX.
010-05-04-17Which panel means landings are prohibited?
A red square with two yellow diagonals.
010-05-04-18Which panel means special precautions for approach and landing?
A red square with one yellow diagonal.
010-05-04-19Which signal shows the take-off direction at the tower?
Two digits, in tens of degrees magnetic, to the nearest 10°.
010-05-04-20What does a double white cross mean?
The aerodrome is used by sailplanes.
010-05-04-21What does a white or yellow cross on a runway or taxiway mean?
The area is unfit for the movement of aircraft. White crosses are on runways, yellow on taxiways.
010-05-04-22What does a dumb-bell with black bars mean?
Land and take off on runways only.
010-05-04-23What does a white dumb-bell mean?
Use runways and taxiways only.
010-05-04-24Which ground signal shows the landing and take-off direction?
The landing T, towards the cross arm.
010-05-04-25What does a horizontal right-hand arrow mean?
Make turns to the right before landing and after take-off.
010-05-04-26What does a black letter C on a yellow background mean?
The location of the air traffic services reporting office.
010-05-04-27What do red-and-green projectiles fired from the ground at 10-second intervals mean?
An unauthorised aircraft is in, or about to enter, a restricted, prohibited or danger area. It must take remedial action.
010-05-04-28Which arm angle shows a normal stop?
Arms and wands at 90° to the sides, moved above the head until the wands cross.
010-05-04-29Which signal shows an emergency stop?
Arms and wands thrust to the top of the head, with the wands crossed.
010-05-04-30Hold position or stand by. What arm angle?
Arms and wands fully extended downwards at 45° to the sides.
010-05-04-31Turn left, seen from the pilot's view?
Right arm and wand held out at 90° to the body, while the left hand makes the come-ahead movement.
010-05-04-32Where does the marshaller stand for a fixed-wing aircraft?
On the left side of the aircraft, where the pilot can best see the signals.
010-05-04-33Pilot's signal that the brakes are engaged?
Fingers extended horizontally in front of the face, then the fist clenched.
010-05-04-34Can you use a signal that could be confused with a standard signal?
No. Do not use any other signal likely to be confused with a standard signal.
010-05-04-35What must an aircraft do when it receives a standard signal?
Act as the meaning of the signal requires.
010-05-04-36Marshaller's signal to set the brakes?
Hand raised just above shoulder height, open palm closed into a fist, with eye contact. Wait for the crew's thumbs-up.
Sources
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA): Article 2; SERA.3301; SERA.11015; SERA.14083; Appendix 1 — via EASA Easy Access Rules for Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA), August 2025, with the related AMC/GM.
This page is educational. It does not replace instruction at your ATO or your aircraft's POH/AFM. Rules change: check the regulation in force.