# Search and Rescue Signals: Ground-Air Codes and Acknowledgement Procedures

> Study SAR visual signal codes for survivors and rescue units, including day and night air-ground acknowledgement conventions.

- **Subject:** 010 — Air Law
- **Section:** 010-11 — Search and Rescue (SAR)
- **Topic code:** 010-11-04
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-03-27
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/air-law/search-and-rescue-sar/search-and-rescue-signals/

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## Ground-Air Visual Signals
These signals are used by survivors and rescue units to communicate with aircraft. They must be large and have contrast.

![Ground-Air Visual Code for Use by Survivors](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Ground-Air_Visual_Code_for_Use_by_Survivors.png)
*Standard code used by survivors. Note 'V' (Require assistance) and 'X' (Require medical assistance).*

**Code for Survivors:**
*   **V**: Require assistance.
*   **X**: Require medical assistance.
*   **N**: No / Negative.
*   **Y**: Yes / Affirmative.
*   **Arrow (➔)**: Proceeding in this direction.

**Code for Rescue Units:**
*   **LLL**: Operation completed.
*   **LL**: All personnel found.
*   **++**: Only some personnel found.

### Air-Ground Signals
To indicate that the ground signal has been **understood**:
*   **By day:** Rocking wings.
*   **By night:** Flashing twice the landing lights or navigation lights.

The **absence** of these signals indicates that the ground message has **not** been understood.

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Free study notes from pilotsyllabus.com. Not a substitute for training at an approved ATO.