Tower light signals and ground signals
Free lesson · Air Regulations · DGCA CPL and ATPL
No radio, just a light from the tower or a sign on the ground. Read each one.
What is the tower telling you with a light?
Tower lights
The same signal means different things in the air and on the ground.
| Signal | To an aircraft in flight | To an aircraft on the ground |
|---|---|---|
| Steady green | Cleared to land | Cleared for take-off |
| Steady red | Give way and continue circling | Stop |
| Green flashes | Return for landing | Cleared to taxi |
| Red flashes | Aerodrome unsafe, do not land | Taxi clear of the landing area |
| White flashes | Land here and go to the apron | Return to starting point |
| Red pyrotechnic | Hold off landing for now | None |
Takeaway: Steady green means go, steady red means stop or keep circling, and red flashes in the air mean the aerodrome is unsafe.
What do the ground signals mean?
Ground signals
Panels and shapes in the signal area. Test yourself with names hidden.
- Landing prohibited red square, yellow diagonals No landing allowed, and the ban may go on for some time.
- Special precautions red square, one yellow diagonal The runways and taxiways are in poor shape (or there is another reason): take extra care on the approach and when landing.
- Runways and taxiways only white dumbbell Stay on the runways and taxiways for landing, take-off and taxiing.
- Runways only for landing dumbbell with black bars Only take off and land on runways; when taxiing you do not have to stay on runways and taxiways.
- Closed area white or yellow cross Crosses of one contrasting colour, white or yellow, on runways or taxiways: that area is unfit for aircraft movement.
- Landing T land along the shaft toward the bar White or orange T: land and take off parallel to the shaft, toward the cross arm. At night it is lit or outlined in white lights.
- Take-off direction two digits, nearest 10° Two digits displayed vertically at or near the tower: take-off direction in tens of degrees, magnetic.
- Right-hand traffic arrow of conspicuous colour Turns before landing and after take-off are to the right.
- ATS reporting office black C on yellow Shows where the air traffic services reporting office is.
- Gliders flying double white cross Gliders use this aerodrome and are flying right now.
Memory hook: Two yellow diagonals: no landing. One: take care.
Takeaway: Red panels warn about landing; dumbbells limit where you move; crosses close areas; T, digits and arrow show direction.