Forms Visual Hand Signals

Question 1

Affirmative

Answer 1

Thumbs-up or head nod

Question 2

Negative/Do not understand

Answer 2

Thumbs down or head shake

Question 3

Wait (On deck)

Answer 3

Hand held up, clenched fist, palm forward

Question 4

“Perform normal engine runup”

Answer 4

Signal: Raises two fingers in a back/forth motion

Response: Wingman acknowledges signal, executes engine run-up, and responds with a thumbs-up

Question 5

“Preparatory: Takeoff path clear”

Answer 5

Signal: Lead raises arm vertically
Response: N/A

Question 6

“I am commencing section takeoff”

Answer 6

Signal: Lead drops arm smartly below canopy rail

Response: Wingman executes section takeoff

Question 7

“Turn lights on/off”

Answer 7

Signal: Two-fingers pointed towards eyes followed by “cut” signal for “off”

Response: Perform action

Question 8

“Leveling off”

Answer 8

Signal: Hand moved horizontally above glare shield, palm down

Response: Prepare to execute

Question 9

“Add power”

Answer 9

Signal: Head moved forward
Response: Execute instruction

Question 10

“Turn IFF (Transponder) off”

Answer 10

Signal: Choking motion with hand, then point to wingman

Reponse: Turn IFF to STBY/OFF

Question 11

“I am turning right/left”

Answer 11

Signal: Head nodded right/left in direction of turn

Response: Prepare to execute

Question 12

“Roll out of turn”

Answer 12

Signal: Open hand held up, fingers togehter, moved in fore-and-aft sawing motion

Response: Wingman prepare to execute

Question 13

“Take cruise position”

Answer 13

Signal: Thumb waved backward alternating over each shoulder

Response: Execute

Question 14

“Join on me”

Answer 14

Signal: Lead pats his shoulder or porpoises his aircraft

Reponse: Execute

Question 15

“Breakup”

Answer 15

Signal: Lead describes back and forth motion with two fingers

Response: Wing prepare for breakup kissoff (and relay signal to Dash-3 if necessary)

Question 16

“Crossunder to the right/left”

Answer 16

Signal: Lead holds up right/left forearm vertically with clenched fist

Response: Execute

Question 17

“I’m leaving formation”

Answer 17

Signal: Lead blows kiss to wingman (bunch up your fingers, then spread them)

Response: N/A

Question 18

“Lead change”

Answer 18

Signal: Lead pats self on head, then points to wingman

Response: Wingman pats self on head, looks and points straight ahead, then takes Lead

Question 19

“Prepare to start tail-chase exercise”

Answer 19

Signal: Pistol cocking motion

Response: Prepare for tail-chase exercise

Question 20

“How much fuel do you have?”

Answer 20

Signal: Raised fist with thumb extended in drinking position

Response: Indicate remaining fuel in tens of lbs by finger numbering

Question 21

“I’m in trouble”

Answer 21

Signal: Weeping signal and then fingers held vertically to indicate which system is affected

Hyds: 1 finger
Electrical: 2 finger
Fuel: 3 finger
Oxygen: 4 fingers
Engine: 5 fingers

Response: Nod or give a thumbs up. Pass Lead to the disasbled aircraft or assume the Lead if necessary

HEFOE code

Question 22

“I’m going to descend/climb”

Answer 22

Signal: Hand opened flat and palm down, simulating dive or climb

Response: Prepare to follow suit

Question 23

“Reduce power”

Answer 23

Signal: Head moved backwards

Response: Execute

Question 24

“Extend/retract speed brake”

Answer 24

Signal: Open and close four fingers and thumb

Response: Repeat signal and execute when Lead nods head or fans speed brake out

Question 25

“Next signal will be a question”

Answer 25

Signal: Hand cupped behind the ear, listening

Question 26

“Raise/lower gear and flaps”

Answer 26

Signals: Rotary movement of clenched fist as if cranking wheels, followed by nod

Response: Execute at nod

Question 27

“Landing runway in sight”

Answer 27

Signal: Point to runway

Response: Prepare to detach

Question 28

“You land”

Answer 28

Signal: Pats palm on glare shield then kisses off wingman

Response: Kiss off and land