CTO Light Gun Signals & Lost Communications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A controller directs a steady red light at an aircraft on the ground. What does this signal mean?
- Stop immediately (Correct answer)
- Taxi clear of the runway in use
- Return to starting point on airport
- Exercise extreme caution
Correct answer: Stop immediately
A steady red light directed at an aircraft on the ground means stop immediately.
Question 2: What light gun signal instructs an aircraft in flight to give way to other aircraft and continue circling?
- Flashing white
- Flashing red (Correct answer)
- Steady red
- Alternating red and green
Correct answer: Flashing red
A flashing red light directed at an aircraft in flight means the airport is unsafe — give way to other aircraft and continue circling.
Question 3: Which light gun signal indicates general warning or exercise extreme caution to an aircraft on the ground?
- Flashing white
- Steady yellow
- Alternating red and green (Correct answer)
- Flashing red
Correct answer: Alternating red and green
An alternating red and green light signal means general warning — exercise extreme caution.
Question 4: A pilot flying VFR experiences radio failure and is approaching a towered airport. After receiving light gun clearance to land, what must the pilot do to acknowledge the signal by day?
- Flash landing lights
- Rock wings (Correct answer)
- Flash navigation lights
- Dip nose repeatedly
Correct answer: Rock wings
A VFR pilot acknowledges daytime light gun signals by rocking the aircraft's wings.
Question 5: When may a controller use light gun signals without prior coordination?
- Only during IFR operations
- Anytime normal radio communication fails or cannot be established (Correct answer)
- Only when requested by the pilot on guard frequency
- Only after issuing a NOTAM for light gun use
Correct answer: Anytime normal radio communication fails or cannot be established
Light gun signals may be used anytime normal radio communication fails or cannot be established with an aircraft.
Question 6: What color is the light gun signal that tells a taxiing aircraft to proceed?
- Flashing white
- Steady green (Correct answer)
- Steady yellow
- Flashing green
Correct answer: Steady green
A steady green light directed at an aircraft on the ground means cleared to taxi.
Question 7: An aircraft in flight receives a flashing white light gun signal. What does this mean?
- Return to starting point
- Cleared to land
- Exercise extreme caution
- Return to the airport for landing (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Return to the airport for landing
A flashing white light directed at an aircraft in flight means return to the airport — do not land.
CTO Light Gun Signals & Lost Communications 2
A controller directs a steady red light at an aircraft on the ground.
What does this signal mean?