Initiated by intercepting aircraft [key] |
1 | Day or night – Rocking aircraft and flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals (and landing lights in the case of a helicopter) from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft (or to the right if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter) and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left (or to the right in the case of a helicopter) on the desired heading (see note 1). | You have been intercepted, follow me | Day or night – Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following. | Understood, will comply |
2 [alt] | Day or night – An abrupt breakaway manoeuvre from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90° or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. | You may proceed | Day or night – Rocking the aircraft. | Understood, will comply |
3 | Day or night – Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and overflying runway in use or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflyng the helicopter landing area. In the case of helicopters, the intercepting helicopter makes a landing approach, coming to hover near to the landing area. | Land at this aerodrome | Day or night – Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and following the intercepting aircraft and, if after overflying the runway in use or helicopter landing area landing is considered safe, proceeding to land. | Understood, will comply |
4 [alt] | Day or night – Raising landing gear (if fitted) and flashing landing lights while passing over runway in use or helicopter landing area at a height exceeding 300 m (1000 ft) but not exceeding 600 m (2000 ft) (or, in the case of a helicopter, at a height exceeding 50 m (170 ft) but not exceeding 100 m (330 ft)) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle runway in use or helicopter landing area. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available. | The aerodrome you have designated is inadequate | Day or night – If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear (if fitted) and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood, follow me |
If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood, you may proceed [alt] |
5 | Day or night – Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights. | Cannot comply | Day or night – Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood |
6 [alt] | Day or night – Irregular flashing of all available lights. | In distress | Day or night – Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood |