flares, lights and signal squares
Thread Starter
flares, lights and signal squares
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 ?
A quick look on Google Earth showed signal squares at Northampton (Sywell) and Old Warden. Not so sure about the lights and flares though. I do remember landing a glider at an airfield when I ran out of ideas to stay aloft; the controller spotted me on final and gave me a green light. I've always wondered what I would (could) have done if it had been a red!
I was once given a green light to land at Bournemouth following a radio failure but most of my flying has been from/to airfields with A/G or FISO. I am ashamed to admit that I have never considered whether to expect light signals or flares from either of these or even if they are permitted to use them.
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.
Last edited by chevvron; 22nd Apr 2023 at 05:55.
As for 'pundits', there are 4 styles of lights used in the UK:
Aerial Lighthouse.
There is only one remaining Aerial Lighthouse in the UK and this is situated on the top of the RAF College at Cranwell. It is a lighthouse operated by Trinity House and consists of a rotating white light.
Identification Beacon. (aka 'Pundit')
Flashes 2 letters in morse code through 360 deg corresponding to the airfield designator in red for military airfields or green for civil airfields.
Location Beacons.
1) These flash alternately either white and green (civil airfields) or white and red (military airfields) but there is no morse code letter however examples I have seen may consist of a double ended rotating light which thus show the different colours alternately.
2) At some civil locations, the 2 colour beacon may be replaced by a flashing white strobe light showing through 360 deg with the caveat that there must be no other flashing beacons in the vicinity which might cause confusion.
Last edited by chevvron; 22nd Apr 2023 at 06:03.
