CFC Airfield Lighting & Signaling 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A flight communicator directs a steady RED light gun signal at an aircraft in flight. What does this mean?
- Cleared to land
- Return for landing
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling (Correct answer)
- Airport unsafe — do not land
Correct answer: Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
A steady red signal to an aircraft in flight means give way to other aircraft and continue circling — it does not mean to land.
Question 2: A FLASHING RED light gun signal directed at an aircraft on the ground means:
- Stop immediately
- Cleared for takeoff
- Taxi clear of the runway in use (Correct answer)
- Return to starting point on the airport
Correct answer: Taxi clear of the runway in use
Flashing red to an aircraft on the ground means taxi clear of the runway in use — typically when the runway must be vacated due to an incoming aircraft.
Question 3: What does an ALTERNATING RED AND GREEN light gun signal indicate to any aircraft (airborne or on ground)?
- Cleared to land and hold short
- Return to starting point immediately
- Exercise extreme caution (Correct answer)
- Clearance void — stop and call ATC
Correct answer: Exercise extreme caution
An alternating red and green light gun signal directed at any aircraft means exercise extreme caution, applicable whether the aircraft is airborne or on the ground.
Question 4: A FLASHING WHITE light gun signal directed at an aircraft on the ground instructs the pilot to:
- Stop and hold position
- Return to starting point on the airport (Correct answer)
- Taxi to the active runway
- Cleared for immediate departure
Correct answer: Return to starting point on the airport
Flashing white to an aircraft on the ground means return to the starting point on the airport — used when the aircraft should go back to where it began.
Question 5: A FLASHING GREEN light gun signal to an aircraft in flight means:
- Cleared to land
- Return for landing — clearance to land will follow (Correct answer)
- Traffic pattern entry approved
- Proceed to the ILS final approach
Correct answer: Return for landing — clearance to land will follow
Flashing green to an aircraft in flight means return for landing, signaling that clearance to land will be issued when the aircraft is on final approach.
Question 6: When no radio communication is possible and an aircraft receives a STEADY GREEN light gun signal while on the ground, the pilot should:
- Taxi to the runway for departure
- Hold short of all runways
- Cleared for takeoff (Correct answer)
- Turn on all exterior lights and hold
Correct answer: Cleared for takeoff
A steady green light gun signal to an aircraft on the ground means cleared for takeoff — it is the ground equivalent of a radio takeoff clearance.
Question 7: A flight communicator using a light gun must continue to direct signals at the aircraft until:
- The pilot acknowledges by rocking wings (in flight) or flashing taxi/landing lights (on ground) (Correct answer)
- ATC cancels the signal
- The aircraft lands or departs
- Five seconds have passed
Correct answer: The pilot acknowledges by rocking wings (in flight) or flashing taxi/landing lights (on ground)
The pilot acknowledges light gun signals by rocking wings or flashing lights, and the communicator should continue signaling until acknowledgment is received to confirm the pilot understood.
CFC Airfield Lighting & Signaling 4
A flight communicator directs a steady RED light gun signal at an aircraft in flight.
What does this mean?