In the case of a radio failure or aircraft not equipped with a radio, air traffic control may use a light gun to direct the aircraft. The light gun has a focused bright beam and is capable of emitting three different colors: Red, white and green. These colors may be flashed or steady, and have different meanings to aircraft in flight or on the ground. Planes can acknowledge the instruction by wiggling their wings, moving the ailerons if on the ground, or by flashing their landing or navigation lights during hours of darkness. NORDO, short for No Radio, is an aviation term for flights that have experienced a radio communications failure. ... An aircraft is any machine capable of atmospheric flight. ... Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) at Schiphol Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a service provided by ground based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious traffic flow. ... Aileron location on a Piper PA-28. ...
Aircraft In Flight
Aircraft On the Ground
Ground Vehicles or Personnel
Flashing White
N/A
Return to starting point
Steady Green
Cleared to land
Cleared for takeoff
Cleared to cross/proceed
Flashing Green
cleared to approach airport, or return to land
Cleared to taxi
N/A
Steady Red
Continue circling, give way to other aircraft
Stop
Flashing Red
Airport unsafe, do not land
Immediately taxi clear of runway in use
Clear the taxiway/runway
Alternating Red and Green
Danger, continue current action with caution
Red-red-green sequence
Nearing restricted airspace
N/A
Blinking Runway Lights
vehicles, planes, and pedestrians immediately clear landing area in use
Reference
FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 4 (Air Traffic Control), Section 3 (Airport Operations), Paragraph 13 (Traffic Control Light Signals)
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