Aviation Light Gun Signals

Light guns allow tower controllers to use a beam of light to communicate with pilots of aircraft or drivers of ground vehicles who do not have radios or who have had a radio failure. They also make it possible for pilots who are deaf to land at controlled airports.

Color and Type of Signal	Aircraft on the Ground	Aircraft in Flight	Vehicles, Equipment and Personnel
Steady green	Cleared for takeoff	Cleared to land	Cleared to cross, proceed or go
Flashing	Cleared for taxi	Return for landing, followed by steady green at appropriate time	Not applicable
Steady red	STOP	Give way to other aircraft and continue circling	STOP
Flashing	Taxi clear of the runway in use	Airport unsafe, do not land	Clear the taxiway or runway
Flashing	Return to starting point on the airport	Not applicable	Return to starting point on the airport
Alternating	Exercise Extreme Caution	Exercise Extreme Caution	Exercise Extreme Caution

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