📘14 CFR §91.125 - Light Gun Signals

✏️ Plain-English Summary:

If you lose radio communication, ATC can use a light gun to communicate with your aircraft — using color + flash pattern. You must know what each signal means on the ground and in the air to respond correctly and safely.

✅ Light Gun Signals – Memorize This Table:

Color	In Flight	On Ground
Steady Green	✅ Cleared to land	✅ Cleared for takeoff
Flashing Green	✅ Return for landing (to be followed by steady green)	✅ Cleared to taxi
Steady Red	❌ Give way and continue circling	❌ Stop
Flashing Red	⚠️ Airport unsafe — do not land	❌ Taxi clear of runway in use
Flashing White	❌ Not used in flight	✅ Return to starting point on airport
Alternating Red & Green	⚠️ Use extreme caution	⚠️ Use extreme caution

🧠 Memory Aids:

• Steady Green = Go (takeoff/land)

• Steady Red = Stop (or give way)

• Flashing = something is changing

• Alt Red/Green = Watch out — something’s wrong!

✈️ Scenario:

You’re in the pattern doing radio-out practice and see a steady green light pointed at you. ✅ You are cleared to land.

You’re holding short on the taxiway during a radio failure and see a flashing red light. ❌ You must taxi clear of the runway in use — you're not cleared to cross or take off.

✋ How to Respond:

When you see a signal and understand it:

• Acknowledge using rocking wings (in flight) or flashing your landing/taxi light (on ground)

🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:

Print a color-coded flashcard with these signals and quiz students during ground time or on the ramp. Have them practice chair-flying with:

“You're in the pattern and ATC gives you [X] — what do you do?”

Also connect this to:

• §91.185 – Lost Comm Procedures (IFR)

• AIM 4-3-13 — Light Gun Procedures

📚 References:

• FAR §91.125 — ATC Light Signals

• AIM Table 4-3-13 — Light Gun Signal Reference

• CAPTn Stage 1 — Communications & light signal questions​