Communications, Light Signals & Runway Lighting
Private Pilot ACS · Area III · Task A · AIM, FAA-H-8083-3
Everything you need to know about Communications, Light Signals & Runway Lighting for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task III-A, covering communications, light signals & runway lighting.
Light Gun Signals §
| Signal | Aircraft in Flight | Aircraft on Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Steady green | Cleared to land | Cleared to taxi |
| Flashing green | Return for landing | Cleared to taxi |
| Steady red | Give way, continue circling | Stop |
| Flashing red | Airport unsafe, do not land | Taxi clear of runway |
| Flashing white | — | Return to starting point |
| Alternating R&G | Exercise extreme caution | Exercise extreme caution |
14 CFR 91.125; AIM 4-3-13
Radio Phraseology §
Standard ATC read-backs: altitude assignments, runway assignments, hold-short instructions, transponder codes, frequency changes. Always read back runway and hold-short clearances with the runway number.
Lost comms (NORDO): Squawk 7600. In VMC: proceed to destination, arrive at expected time, observe tower light signals. Squawk 7600, then 7700 briefly for identification.
ATIS/ASOS/AWOS: ATIS = recorded by personnel, includes NOTAMs and active runway. ASOS = fully automated, feeds official METARs. AWOS = automated, fewer sensors than ASOS. Report information code on first contact.
Lost comms (NORDO): Squawk 7600. In VMC: proceed to destination, arrive at expected time, observe tower light signals. Squawk 7600, then 7700 briefly for identification.
ATIS/ASOS/AWOS: ATIS = recorded by personnel, includes NOTAMs and active runway. ASOS = fully automated, feeds official METARs. AWOS = automated, fewer sensors than ASOS. Report information code on first contact.
AIM 4-2; 14 CFR 91.185
VASI & PAPI §
PAPI (4 lights, left to right):
4 white = too high
3 white/1 red = slightly high
2 white/2 red = on glidepath (3°)
1 white/3 red = slightly low
4 red = dangerously low
2-Bar VASI: Both white = too high. Near red/far white = on glidepath. Both red = below glidepath.
Memory: "White over white, you're flying alright. Red over red, you're dead."
4 white = too high
3 white/1 red = slightly high
2 white/2 red = on glidepath (3°)
1 white/3 red = slightly low
4 red = dangerously low
2-Bar VASI: Both white = too high. Near red/far white = on glidepath. Both red = below glidepath.
Memory: "White over white, you're flying alright. Red over red, you're dead."
AIM 2-1-2
NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting §
Immediate notification required: Fatal or serious injury, substantial aircraft damage, aircraft missing or inaccessible, certain specific incidents (turbine failure, midair collision, CFIT, etc.).
Report within 10 days: Aircraft accident report to NTSB.
NASA ASRS: Voluntary confidential reporting system. Filing within 10 days of an inadvertent violation provides limited immunity from FAA certificate action. Does not protect against criminal violations or accidents.
Report within 10 days: Aircraft accident report to NTSB.
NASA ASRS: Voluntary confidential reporting system. Filing within 10 days of an inadvertent violation provides limited immunity from FAA certificate action. Does not protect against criminal violations or accidents.
49 CFR 830; AIM 7-6-1