Visual Air Craft-to-Air Craft Signals

T-6A CONTACT

CHAPTER NINE

907.

VISUAL AIRCRAFT-TO-AIRCRAFT SIGNALS

In the event of lost communications, there are standard visual aircraft-to-aircraft signals:

"Follow me" - If another aircraft joins on you, turns its external lights off and on several times,

and then continues ahead of you, this means "follow me."

"Continue on course" - While following another aircraft as described above, it turns its external

lights off and on several times and breaks away sharply to the RIGHT, this means "continue on

course."

"Orbit this position" - If the aircraft you are following turns its external lights off and on several

times and then breaks sharply to the LEFT, this means "orbit this position." Establish an orbit

and remain there until the aircraft again joins up and signals to follow.

"I must land immediately" - If it becomes necessary to make an immediate landing and you have

no radios, signal to the aircraft that joins up with you by using your flashlight. With a lighted

flashlight pointed directly toward the other aircraft, rotate the light in a circular motion similar to

your signal to the lineman for start.

908.

ELECTRICAL POWER FAILURE

Electrical power is of great importance at night because of the need for interior and exterior

lighting, two-way communications, navigational equipment, flight instruments, landing gear and

flaps. An aircraft with no electrical power is virtually invisible at night. In this case, it is only

the aircrew who can maintain aircraft separation. Come to the preflight briefing prepared to

discuss two types of electrical failures per the NATOPS: generator failure and complete

electrical failure.

NIGHT CONTACT

9-5