HSM 72 Plane Captain Signals

Question 1

Affirmative

Answer 1

Thumbs up

Hold green wand vertically pointed up

Question 2

Negative

Answer 2

Thumbs down

Hold red wand pointed vertically down

Question 3

Signal Pilot’s Attention (on deck)

Answer 3

Wave arms over head

Same as day signal with addition of wands

Question 4

Request personnel enter rotor arc

Answer 4

Signal pilot’s attn, point at personnel with one hand while giving “hold” with other hand. After pilot gives “positive” signal, continually move arm pointing at person towards a/c until they are inside rotor arc

Same as day signal with addition of wands

Question 5

Request personnel exit rotor arc

Answer 5

Signal pilot’s attn, point at personnel with one hand while giving “hold” with other hand. After pilot gives “positive” signal, continually move arm pointing at person towards a/c until they are inside rotor arc

Same as day signal with addition of wands

Question 6

Connect/disconnect fuel hose

Answer 6

Connect: push closed fist of right hand into open palm of left hand
Disconnect: pull closed fist of right hand away from open palm of left hand

Night Connect: Push horizontal green wand into vertical red wand
Night Disconnect: pull horizontal green wand away from vertical red wand

Question 7

Fuel Precheck Switches Test Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Answer 7

Satisfactory: 1/2 fingers extended followed by affirmative signal
Unsatisfactory: 1/2 fingers extended followed by negative signal

For #1 precheck switch, flash green wand once followed by affirmative or negative. Then flash green wand twice for #2 precheck switch followed by affirmative or negative

Question 8

Refueling in progress/stop refueling

Answer 8

In Progress: makes circular motion as if rubbing stomach using a closed fist with thumb and pinky fingers extended
Stop: Horizontal cutting motion of hand across throat

In Progress: Hold green wand vertically over red wand
Stop: Hold red wand vertically over green wand

Question 9

connect/disconnect external power

Answer 9

Connect: push closed fist of left hand into open palm of right hand
Disconnect: pull closed fist of left hand away from open palm of right hand

Connect: push horizontal red wand into vertical green wand
Disconnect: pull horizontal red wand away from vertical green wand

Question 10

connect/disconnect data link cable

Answer 10

Connect: push two extended fingers of right hand into open palm of left hand
Disconnect: pull extended fingers of right hand away from open palm of left hand

Connect: push horizontal green wand into vertical red wand
Disconnect: pull horizontal green wand into vertical red wand

Question 11

water observed during water wash

Answer 11

with extended index fingers on both hands, alternately swipe fingers across both eyes mimicking motion of windshield wipers

night same as day plus wands

Question 12

lights

Answer 12

point to eyes with the two fingers, point to light, then give signal for affirmative/negative

point to eyes with both wands, point to light, then give affirmative/negative signal

Question 13

unfastened TGB/IGB/Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Fastener

Answer 13

hold left hand in shape of L while pointing at area between thumb and index finger

point wands toward ground touching both together in shape of V

Question 14

Personnel on top of aircraft

Answer 14

place open hand on top of head while pointing to top of aircraft with other hand

same as day with addition of wands

Question 15

slacken chains

Answer 15

grab wrist with one hand and rotate hand around wrist

shall be briefed between aircrew and PC prior to evolution

Question 16

fuel priming engine

Answer 16

make signal with hand as if pinching nose, move vertically up and down several times over nose, followed by number of engine being primed

shall be briefed between aircrew and PC prior to evolution

Question 17

all tools accounted for

Answer 17

place both hands together in front of pocket followed by affirmative/negative signal

same as day signal plus wands