Originally Posted by
bad bear
We were just chatting in the bar about some questions in an EASA pilots licence paper and wondered if the UK still use signal squares, Aldis lights and Very pistol for flares etc ?
The CAA seem to have given carte blanche for the use of signals squares as most airfields nowadays have a means of 2-way radio communications.
I believe aldis lamps are still required but verey pistols are dependent on which licensing authority the airfield falls into; some chief constables might allow them but technically being smooth bored, they are classed as 'short barelled shotguns' and hence might require a Firearms Certificate. (NOT licence; there's no such tthing as a 'firearms license' or 'gun license' as is widely mentioned on TV and radio and hasn't been for about 60 years.)
Edit to add: There are two uses for verey cartridges on airfields; use for ATC and use for bird scaring and the users often have different terms of use ie the use for bird scaring MAY be restricted to these types of cartridge only and coloured flares for controllers may not be allowed; varies from airfield to airfield.
At Farnborough under MOD regulations, I was authorised to use and train others to use both bird scaring cartridges (in which the pistol contained a 12 bore adapter sleeve) AND 2" dia. coloured flares for the 'control ' of aircraft.