Appendix B
Familiarization
APPENDIX B: NIGHTTIME HAND SIGNALS
The following lists each of the nighttime 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 34 and 35 display each of the hand signals discussed in Appendix
B.
GROUND CREW SIGNALS
START ENGINE: Signalman extends left wand overhead while making circular motion with right wand at
head level.
SHUT DOWN ENGINE: Signalman’s arms level with shoulder; moves one wand across throat in slashing
movement while pointing other wand to engine.
ENGINE FIRE: Signalman describes large horizontal figure eight with one wand and points to fire area
with other wand.
CLOSE SPEED BRAKES: Signalman’s hands in front with wands open horizontally from wrists, then
closed.
ENGINE RUNUP: Signalman makes circular motion with wand above head level in response to pilot’s
same signal.
WIPE OUT COCKPIT: Signalman positions left wand horizontally in front of waist and makes horizontal
circular motion with right wand above left wand.
LOWER FLAPS: Signalman’s wands in front with wands together and then opened vertically from wrists,
crocodile-mouth fashion.
HOOK UP: Signalman’s right wand pointed upward, then raised to meet horizontal wand in left hand.
OPEN SPEED BRAKES: Signalman’s wands in front with wands together and then opened horizontally
from wrists.
HOOK DOWN: Signalman’s right wand extended downward, then lowered to meet horizontal wand in left
hand.
LOWER LAUNCH BAR: Signalman’s right elbow resting in left hand at waist level with right wand vertical;
lowers right wand to horizontal.
REMOVE GEAR PINS: Signalman’s left wand at shoulder level pointed upward; signalman’s right wand
aligned horizontally with tip touching midpoint of vertical wand; right wand moves horizontally away from
left vertical wand.
RAISE LAUNCH BAR: Signalman’s right elbow resting in left hand at waist level with wand arm
horizontal; raises right wand to vertical position.
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