ASTM F1591-95(2012)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Visual Signals Between Persons on the Ground and in Aircraft During Ground Emergencies
Standard Practice for Visual Signals Between Persons on the Ground and in Aircraft During Ground Emergencies
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
While many of the reasons for needing the signals contained in this practice have been overcome by technology development, situations still arise where voice communications cannot be established between aircraft and persons on the ground during emergencies. This is particularly true of persons in distress, who typically have no communications equipment. These signals continue to meet the need for communications.
Most of these signals have been adopted by international convention, the others by civilian and military agencies of the United States Government. The signals described in this practice are intended for use on land and can be made without special equipment such as flares or colored panels. Other signaling systems are described in the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Manual.
The signals are also useful in situations where either complete or partial voice communications exist. Where only partial capabilities exist, for example, a ground unit with receive-only capability, the aircrew can transmit voice and the ground crew can respond with the appropriate signal.
The signals described in Section 4, by their nature, are not intended for real-time communications with aircraft. They can be left unattended as messages for aircrews. Persons on the ground (SAR or otherwise) can make a signal and continue on without contact with the aircraft. The SAR personnel should keep this in mind when encountering the signals of Fig. 1.
Search and rescue agencies utilizing this practice should disseminate these signals to the public as part of their preventative search and rescue (PSAR) efforts. The signals have changed over the years and a number of publications contain obsolete signals.
FIG. 1 Ground-to-Air Signals
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the signals to be used between persons on the ground and in aircraft when two-way voice communications cannot be established during ground emergencies. Ground signals are limited to land-based ones that do not require special equipment. Flare, light, panel, and maritime signals are specifically excluded.
1.2 The signals are divided into two categories: those used by persons on the ground and those used by aircraft.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F1591 − 95 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Practice for
Visual Signals Between Persons on the Ground and in
Aircraft During Ground Emergencies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1591; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope special equipment such as flares or colored panels. Other
signaling systems are described in the National Search and
1.1 This practice covers the signals to be used between
Rescue (SAR) Manual.
persons on the ground and in aircraft when two-way voice
communicationscannotbeestablishedduringgroundemergen-
3.3 The signals are also useful in situations where either
cies. Ground signals are limited to land-based ones that do not
complete or partial voice communications exist. Where only
require special equipment. Flare, light, panel, and maritime
partial capabilities exist, for example, a ground unit with
signals are specifically excluded.
receive-only capability, the aircrew can transmit voice and the
ground crew can respond with the appropriate signal.
1.2 The signals are divided into two categories: those used
3.3.1 The signals described in Section 4, by their nature, are
by persons on the ground and those used by aircraft.
not intended for real-time communications with aircraft. They
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
can be left unattended as messages for aircrews. Persons on the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ground (SAR or otherwise) can make a signal and continue on
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
without contact with the aircraft. The SAR personnel should
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
keep this in mind when encountering the signals of Fig. 1.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.4 Search and rescue agencies utilizing this practice should
2. Referenced Document
disseminate these signals to the public as part of their preven-
tative search and rescue (PSAR) efforts. The signals have
2.1 International Civil Aviation Organization Standard:
changed over the years and a number of publications contain
International Standards and Recommended Practices,
obsolete signals.
Search and Rescue, Annex 12 to the Convention on
International Civil Aviation
4. Ground-to-Air Signals
3. Significance and Use
4.1 Signals for use by either SAR personnel or persons in
3.1 While many of the reasons for needing the signals
distress on the ground are shown in Fig. 1.
contained in this practice have been overcome by technology
4.1.1 The signals in Fig. 1 have been adopted by the
development,situationsstillarisewherevoicecommunications
Convention on International Civil Aviation. As defined in
cannot be established between aircraft and persons on the
Annex 12 to the Convention (see 2.1), these signals are divided
ground during emergencies. This is particularly true of persons
into those for use by SAR personnel and those for use by
in distress, who typically have no communications equipment.
persons in distress. Several of the signals have only been
These signals continue to meet the need for communications.
adopted by certain countries.
3.2 Mostofthesesignalshavebeenadoptedbyinternational 4.1.2 Since the signals are useful regardless of the user’s
convention, the others by civilian and military agencies of the situation or location, this practice includes all of them without
United States Government. The signals described in this limitation. While there may be potential for this to cause
practice are intended for use on land and can be made without confusion for aircrews seeing the signals, this would be a
temporary condition and the aircrew’s response should not be
dependent on the user’s status.The benefits of unlimited use of
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search and
the signals outweighs any confusion caused by their use
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Management and
contrary to the Convention.
Operations.
Current edition approved May 1, 2012. Published June 2012. Originally
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F1591 – 95 (2006).
DOI: 10.1520/F1591-95R12.
2 3
Available from the International Civil Aviation Organization; Document Sales National Search and Rescue (SAR) Manual, Vol I, Joint Publication 3-50, Feb.
Unit; 1000 Sherbrooke St. West, Suite 400; Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2R2. 1, 1991. Available from United States Coast Guard; Washington, DC 20953-0001.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1591 − 95 (2012)
soft material stomped down; brush or grass cut down; strips of
material laid out; etc. Materials can be combined, such as
stomping out the signal in snow, then filling it in with brush.
The signals should have sufficient height or depth so that
shadows will be cast in the shape of the signal to add contrast.
4.5 The signals shall be placed in the open away from the
obstacles that could block the signals from the view of
overflying aircraft or that could create shadows on the signals.
4.6 Fires, flares, smoke, mirror flashes, or lights may be
used with the signals to attract attention. Attraction should be
attempted only if aircraft are known to be in the area, however.
4.7 Once a signal has served its intended purpose, it shall be
destroyed if at all possible, to prevent confusion and additional
search effort later.
5. Ground-to-Air Body Signals
5.1 The signals of Fig. 1 are “messages,” in that they take
considerable time to prepare, and so are not suitable for direct
communications when an aircraft is overhead. For real-time or
spontaneous communications, the body signals of Fig. 3 shall
be used.
5.1.1 The signals in Fig. 3 shall have the meanings indi-
cated.They shall be used only for the purpose indicated an
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