EU Regulation 923/2012, Appendix 1 to the Annex.Did you know that in the past 4 years, 78 participants from 11 countries have taken this course with IATA?Ībout the course 1-day (8 hours) classroom course.ICAO Annex 2 - Rules of the Air: Appendix 1.^ IFALPA Aerodrome and Ground Environment Briefing Leaflet August 2012, Emergency Hand signals at Aerodromes.^ NATO Standardisation Agreement 3117 - Aircraft Marshalling Signals.^ UK CAA CAP 637 - Visual Aids Handbook.In most cases the context of the event should help with clarity however, for example, the signal to indicate a fire is not dissimilar from both the engine start and aircraft turn signals. It is possibly to be confused between which emergency signal is being issued, especially in conditions of poor light and visibility and when the signals are conducted imprecisely or carelessly. Then move arms inward below waistline simultaneously until wrists crossed, then extend outward to starting position. Start with arms extended outward and down at a 45 degree angle. Used when there is no outside evidence of dangerous conditions or 'All Clear'. Signalling that the Emergency is Contained IFALPA also indicates that the signal could be made with a rapid horizontal figure-of-eight motion at waist level with either arm, pointing at the source of fire with the other arm. ICAO describes this signal as moving the right-hand wand in a 'fanning' motion from shoulder to knee, while at the same time pointing with the left-hand wand to area of fire (which might be an engine, APU, brake, or elsewhere). In an emergency it is always preferable, but not always possible or expedient, to communicate using voice via radio or interphone.Īt night lit wands will improve the chances of the signal being seen, however, some degree of ambient light may be necessary for the message to be understood. It is important that pilots, as an absolute minimum, should clearly understand the following emergency hand signals that may be issued by rescue and fire-fighting personnel, and also by marshallers and ground crew when indicating the location of a fire (e.g. Commercial pilots operating from some military facilities may also be unfamiliar with some hand signals used in these places. The ICAO list is not comprehensive, for example, it does not include hand signals to relay typical messages during de-icing and anti-icing operations.

To help achieve this, Appendix 1 to ICAO Annex 2 Rules of the Air includes descriptions and pictures of the main marshalling, and emergency, hand signals these have been reproduced by many National Authorities and trade organisations. To avoid misinterpretation it is important that hand signals are unambiguous, clearly and precisely delivered, and universally understood. These include ground marshallers giving steering directions to pilots pilots indicating the application of handbrakes to ground crew cabin crew communicating with step drivers and de-icing operatives giving pilots the “all clear”. Hand signals are used, on aerodromes, as either primary or back-up communication for many different tasks and between a wide-range of personnel.

As well as just hands, these signals can be made with a variety of paddles, batons and wands – both lit and unlit.

There are four basic hand signals (see illustrations below) that ground rescue and fire-fighting personnel are expected to understand and use clearly during emergencies to communicate with flight deck and/or cabin crew, and which all crew members should understand the meaning.

Aircraft marshalling signals