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

010-11-04Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-03-271 min

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 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.

Written and reviewed by

Pablo Asensio · 2026-03-27

Aeronautical engineer. Passed the thirteen EASA ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge exams studying from these very notes. Writes and reviews each topic against the Part-FCL Learning Objectives.

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