26. Emergency & Warning Signals

Question 1

Emergency call outs

Answer 1

Distress - MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
- Aircraft threatened by grave & imminent
danger, requires immediate assistance.

Urgency - PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN
- Urgent message - safety of ship,
aircraft, vehicle, property or
person on board or in sight.

Question 2

Light signals which can be given to aircraft from the control tower.

Answer 2

Shown by an ALDIS lamp or similar device.

Steady Red light
- G - Aircraft and vehicles on the ground STOP.
- AB - GIVE WAY TO OTHER AIRCRAFT AND CONTINUE CIRCLING

Flashing Red
- G - Aircraft and vehicles on the ground MOVE CLEAR OF LANDING AREA
- AB - DO NOT LAND AERODROME UNSAFE

Red Pyrotechnic
- Notwithstanding any previous instructions, do not land for the time being.

Steady Green
- AB&G - Cleared to Land & Takeoff

Flashing Green
- G - Cleared to taxi & proceed
- AB - RETURN TO AERODROME AND WAIT FOR PERMISSION TO LAND

Flashing White
- G - RETURN TO STARTING POINT ON AERODROME
- AB - LAND AT THIS AERODROME & PROCEED TO APRON (LANDING AND TAXI CLEARANCES TO FOLLOW)

Question 3

Acknowledgment by an aircraft to signals

Answer 3

When in flight
- During the hours of daylight:
— by rocking the aircraft’s wings, except for the
base and final legs of the approach;
- During the hours of darkness:
— by flashing on and off twice the aircraft’s
landing lights or, if not so equipped, by
switching on and off twice its navigation lights.

When on the ground
- During the hours of daylight:
— by moving the aircraft’s ailerons or rudder.
- During the hours of darkness:
— by flashing on and off twice the aircraft’s landing lights or, if not
so equipped, by switching on and off twice its navigation lights.