Light-gun signals: flying NORDO at a towered field
If your radio fails at a towered airport, the tower controls you with a light gun. What each color and steady/flashing signal means.
When you'd use them
A complete radio failure (NORDO) at a towered field. Squawk 7600, watch the tower for light signals, and rock your wings (in flight) or move ailerons/rudder (on the ground) to acknowledge. AIM 4-3-13 has the full table.
In flight
Steady green = cleared to land. Flashing green = return for landing (a landing clearance will follow). Steady red = give way to other aircraft and continue circling. Flashing red = airport unsafe, do not land. Flashing white is not used in flight. Alternating red and green = general warning, exercise extreme caution.
On the ground
Steady green = cleared for takeoff. Flashing green = cleared to taxi. Steady red = stop. Flashing red = taxi clear of the runway in use. Flashing white = return to your starting point on the airport. Alternating red and green = exercise extreme caution.
Acknowledging
Day: move the ailerons or rudder, or rock the wings. Night: flash your landing or navigation lights. There's no radio read-back — the acknowledgment is the maneuver.
Practice this with instant grading — free, no mic required.
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