The Rules of the Air Regulations 1990

Marshalling signals (from a pilot of an aircraft to a marshaller)

48

The following signals made by a pilot in an aircraft to a marshaller on the ground shall respectively have the following meanings:

Distress, urgency and safety signals

49

• (1) The following signals, given either together or separately before the sending of a message, signify that an aircraft is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance:

• (a) by radiotelephony: the spoken word “MAYDAY”;

• (b) visual signalling:

• (i) the signal SOS(. . . – – – . . .);

• (ii) a succession of pyrotechnic lights fired at short intervals each showing a single red light;

• (iii) a parachute flare showing a red light;

• (c) by sound signalling other than radiotelephony:

• (i) the signal SOS (. . . – – – . . .);

• (ii) a continuous sounding with any sound apparatus.

• (2) The following signals, given either together or separately, before the sending of a message, signify that the commander of the aircraft wishes to give notice of difficulties which compel it to land but that he does not require immediate assistance:

• (a) a succession of white pyrotechnic lights;

• (b) the repeated switching on and off of the aircraft landing lights;

• (c) the repeated switching on and off of its navigation lights, in such a manner as to be clearly distinguishable from the flashing navigation lights described in rule 11 of these Rules.

• (3) The following signals, given either together or separately, indicate that the commander of the aircraft has an urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, vehicle or other property or of a person on board or within sight of the aircraft from which the signal is given:

• (a) by radiotelephony:

the spoken word “PAN PAN”;

• (b) by visual signalling:

the signal XXX (– . . – – . . – – . . –);

• (c) by sound signalling other than radiotelephony:

the signal XXX (– . . – – . . – – . . –).

Warning Signals to aircraft in flight

50

In the United Kingdom, by day or by night, a series of projectiles discharged from the ground at intervals of 10 seconds, each showing, on bursting, red and green lights or stars, shall indicate to the commander of an aircraft that his aircraft is flying in or about to enter an active danger area or an area to which regulations made pursuant to article 74(1)(a)(iii) of the Order relate and that he is required to take such action as may be necessary to leave the area or change course to avoid the area.

Signed

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport

Lord Brabazon of Tara — Minister of State, — Department of Transport — 12th November 1990

Explanatory note

(This Note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations consolidate the Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control Regulations 1985, as amended.

In addition to some minor drafting amendments the following changes are made:–

• (1) A public transport helicopter on an offshore installation may, in accordance with a specified procedure, switch off its anti-collision light as a signal that it is safe for persons to approach the helicopter (rule 9(2)(b)).

• (2) Section X is deleted in its entirety. Similar provisions are now included in articles 69A and 69B of the Air Navigation Order 1989, as amended by the Air Navigation (Amended) Order 1990.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: S.I. 1989/2004; the relevant amending instrument is S.I. 2154.

[^f00002]: S.I. 1985/1714.

[^f00003]: S.I. 1986/544.

[^f00004]: S.I. 1986/2121.

[^f00005]: S.I. 1987/1145.

[^f00006]: S.I. 1987/1812.

[^f00007]: S.I. 1989/30.