Appendix A
Familiarization
APPENDIX A: DAYTIME HAND SIGNALS
The following lists each of the daytime ground crew and taxi director signals that you will be required to
know. You must be thoroughly familiar with each of the hand signals identified. On the carrier flight deck,
there is no room for mistakes. Figures 32 and 33 display each of the hand signals discussed in Appendix
A.
GROUND CREW SIGNALS
START ENGINE: Signalman’s left hand pointing at engine and right hand making circular motion with two
fingers extended at head level.
ENGINE FIRE: Signalman describes a large figure eight with one hand and points to fire area with other
hand.
ENGINE RUNUP: Signalman’s index finger and middle finger make circular motion above head level in
response to pilot’s identical signal.
WET START: Signalman points to engine while plugging nose.
WIPE OUT COCKPIT: Signalman’s right elbow positioned in left palm in front of waist while right fist
makes horizontal circular motion above left hand.
LOWER FLAPS: Signalman’s hands in front with palms together horizontally, then opened from wrist.
OPEN SPEED BRAKES: Signalman’s hands in front with palms together vertically, then opened from
wrist.
CLEAR ENGINE: Signalman draws vertical circle in front of body.
RAISE LAUNCH BAR: Signalman’s right elbow in left hand at waist level with right arm horizontal; raises
right hand to the vertical position.
LOWER LAUNCH BAR: Signalman’s right elbow in left hand at waist level with right arm vertical; lowers
right hand to horizontal with palm out.
HOOK DOWN: Signalman’s right fist with thumb extended downward lowered suddenly to meet horizontal
palm of left hand.
RAISE FLAPS: Signalman’s hands together in front of body with palms open horizontally from wrists, then
suddenly closed.
LOWER 1/2 FLAPS: Signalman’s hands in front with palms together horizontally, then opened from wrist,
followed by crossed hands.
STABILATOR CHECK: Signalman’s fist extended from front of chest, then moved to chest and extended
again.
(1-00) Original
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