Serach And Rescue Signals

The signals in the Appendix shall, when used, have the meaning indicated therein. They shall be used only for the purpose indicated and no other signals likely to be confused with them shall be used.

Upon observing any of the signals given in the Appendix, aircraft shall take such action as may be required by the interpretation of the signal given in that Appendix.

1.Signals with surface craft

Note.— The following replies may be made by surface craft
to the signal in 1.1:

— For acknowledging receipt of signals:
1) the hoisting of the “Code pennant” (vertical red and white stripes) close up (meaning understood);
2) the flashing of a succession of “T's” by signal lamp in the Morse code;
3) the changing of heading to follow the aircraft.

— For indicating inability to comply:
1) the hoisting of the international flag “N” (a blue and white checkered square);
2) the flashing of a succession of “N's” in the Morse code.

1.1 The following manoeuvres performed in sequence by an aircraft mean that the aircraft wishes to direct a surface craft towards an aircraft or a surface craft in distress:
a) circling the surface craft at least once;
b) crossing the projected course of the surface craft close ahead at low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.

Note.— Due to high noise level on board surface craft,the sound signals in 2) and 3) may be less effective than the visual signal in 1) and are regarded as alternative means of attracting attention.

c) heading in the direction in which the surface craft is to be directed.
Repetition of such manoeuvres has the same meaning.

1.2 The following manoeuvre by an aircraft means that the assistance of the surface craft to which the signal is directed is no longer required:
—crossing the wake of the surface craft close astern at a low altitude and:
1) rocking the wings; or
2) opening and closing the throttle; or
3) changing the propeller pitch.
Note.— See Note following 1.1 b).

2. Ground-air visual signal code

2.1 Ground-air visual signal code for use by survivors

No...Message Code symbol

1.Require assistance...............................................

2.Require medical assistance........................................X

3.No or Negative....................................................N

4.Yes or Affirmative................................................Y

5.Proceeding in this direction..................................."Arrow"


2.2 Ground-air visual signal code for use by rescue units

No. Message Code symbol

1. Operation completed.................................................L L L

2. We have found all personnel..........................................L L

3. We have found only some personnel....................................+ +

4. We are not able to continue. Returning to base.......................X X

5. Have divided into two groups. Each proceeding in direction Indicated

6. Information received that aircraft is in this direction

7. Nothing found. Will continue to search...............................N N

2.3 Symbols shall be at least 2.5 metres (8 feet) long and shall be made as conspicuous as possible.

Note 1.— Symbols may be formed by any means such as: strips of fabric, parachute material, pieces of wood, stones or such like material; marking the surface by tramping, or staining with oil, etc.
Note 2.— Attention to the above signals may be attracted by other means such as radio, flares, smoke, reflected light, etc.

3. Air-to-ground signals

3.1 The following signals by aircraft mean that the ground signals have been understood:
a) during the hours of daylight:
— by rocking the aircraft’s wings;
b) during the hours of darkness:
— flashing on and off twice the aircraft’s landing lights or, if not so equipped, by switching on and off twice its navigation lights.

3.2 Lack of the above signal indicates that the ground signal is not understood.

Posted in: Annex,Penerbangan,Safety,SAR