ATC Light Gun Signals

AIM ¶ 4-3-13 — ATC Light Gun Signals

AIM 4-3-13 explains ATC tower light gun signals for NORDO aircraft. Memorize colors, meanings, and pilot acknowledgments for your checkride.

In Plain English

AIM 4-3-13 describes how control towers communicate with aircraft, vehicles, and personnel that aren't using radio — either because they're not equipped or because of a radio failure (NORDO). Towers use a directive light gun that beams an intense red, white, or green light at the target.

The big limitation: pilots may not be watching the tower, and signals only convey approval or disapproval — no detailed instructions.

Light Gun Signals (memorize these):

Steady Green — Cleared for takeoff (ground) / Cleared to land (in flight)
Flashing Green — Cleared to taxi (ground) / Return for landing (in flight)
Steady Red — Stop (ground) / Give way and continue circling (in flight)
Flashing Red — Taxi clear of runway (ground) / Airport unsafe, do not land (in flight)
Flashing White — Return to starting point on airport (ground only)
Alternating Red/Green — Exercise extreme caution

Acknowledgment:

Day: move ailerons or rudder
Night: blink landing or navigation lights

At night, to get the tower's attention, turn on your landing light and taxi clear of the active runway where the tower can see you. After a radio failure post-departure, watch the tower for signals and continue monitoring tower frequency.

Would you catch this on the written? Try 5 questions below — no signup

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-3-13

The following procedures are used by ATCTs in the control of aircraft, ground vehicles, equipment, and personnel not equipped with radio. These same procedures will be used to control aircraft, ground vehicles, equipment, and personnel equipped with radio if radio contact cannot be established. ATC personnel use a directive traffic control signal which emits an intense narrow light beam of a selected color (either red, white, or green) when controlling traffic by light signals. Although the traffic signal light offers the advantage that some control may be exercised over nonradio equipped aircraft, pilots should be cognizant of the disadvantages which are: Pilots may not be looking at the control tower at the time a signal is directed toward their aircraft. The directions transmitted by a light signal are very limited since only approval or disapproval of a pilot's anticipated actions may be transmitted. No supplement or explanatory information may be transmitted except by the use of the “General Warning Signal” which advises the pilot to be on the alert. Between sunset and sunrise, a pilot wishing to attract the attention of the control tower should turn on a landing light and taxi the aircraft into a position, clear of the active runway, so that light is visible to the tower. The landing light should remain on until appropriate signals are received from the tower. Airport Traffic Control Tower Light Gun Signals. (See TBL 4-3-1 .) During daylight hours, acknowledge tower transmissions or light signals by moving the ailerons or rudder. At night, acknowledge by blinking the landing or navigation lights. If radio malfunction occurs after departing the parking area, watch the tower for light signals or monitor tower frequency. TBL 4-3-1 Airport Traffic Control Tower Light Gun Signals

Read the AIM? Now prove it

Would you catch these on the written?

Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.

Live demo · no account needed

1/5

You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

Keys A–D answer · Enter continues

PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What does a flashing red light from the tower mean to an aircraft in flight versus on the ground?

Per AIM 4-3-13, a flashing red light to an aircraft in flight means the airport is unsafe — do not land. To an aircraft on the ground, it means taxi clear of the runway in use.

Q2How should a pilot acknowledge a light gun signal from the tower?

Per AIM 4-3-13, during daylight hours pilots acknowledge tower transmissions or light signals by moving the ailerons or rudder. At night, they acknowledge by blinking the landing or navigation lights.

Q3If you experience a radio failure at night and need to get the tower's attention, what should you do?

Per AIM 4-3-13, between sunset and sunrise a pilot should turn on the landing light and taxi the aircraft into a position clear of the active runway so the light is visible to the tower, leaving it on until appropriate signals are received.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 4

¶ 4-3-1

Airport Operations Safety

¶ 4-3-10

Intersection Takeoffs

¶ 4-3-11

LAHSO Pilot Responsibilities

¶ 4-3-12

Low Approach Procedures

¶ 4-3-14

Tower Ground Communications

¶ 4-3-15