Task III.A
Communications, Light Signals, and Runway Lighting Systems
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with normal and emergency radio communications, air traffic control (ATC) light signals, and runway lighting systems.
References: 14 CFR part 91; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25
Study Notes
On the ground, from a few charted sources:
- Sectional chart — tower, CTAF, and ATIS boxes
- Chart Supplement — the complete listing (ground, clearance, approach, FSS)
- Airport diagram and NOTAMs for temporary changes
In the air, 121.5 is always the emergency frequency, and FSS is available on 122.2 and charted remote frequencies (AIM 4-1).
Nontowered (CTAF): self-announce position and intentions — who I am, where I am, what I'm doing, at which airport, with the airport name at both ends of the call ('Chino traffic, Warrior 123AB, ten miles south, inbound for forty-five to left downwind runway two-six, Chino'). Nobody clears me; the radio builds a shared picture, and my eyes do the separating.
Towered: listen to ATIS first, then initial contact with who they are, who I am, where I am, what I want, and the ATIS code. I read back all clearances and instructions — verbatim for hold-short and runway assignments — with my callsign (AIM 4-2, 4-3).
FAA table (AIM 4-3-13):
| Signal | In flight | On the ground |
|---|---|---|
| Steady green | Cleared to land | Cleared for takeoff |
| Flashing green | Return for landing | Cleared to taxi |
| Steady red | Give way, continue circling | Stop |
| Flashing red | Airport unsafe — do not land | Taxi clear of runway in use |
| Flashing white | (not used) | Return to starting point |
| Alternating red/green | Exercise extreme caution | Exercise extreme caution |
Memory hook: green means go (land/takeoff/taxi), steady beats flashing in urgency, and red/green together means 'be careful.' Acknowledge in daylight by rocking wings; at night by flashing the landing light.
Squawk 7600 and stay VFR. First troubleshoot: volume, frequency, headset jacks, hand mic, second radio, second comm's flip-flop — most 'failures' are a knob. If it's really dead, I can transmit blind in case only the receiver failed, then follow AIM 4-2-13: remain outside or above Class D, determine the flow, enter the pattern, and watch the tower for light gun signals, acknowledging with wing rock or landing light. At night I'd also consider going somewhere nontowered instead.
- 7500 — hijacking
- 7600 — lost comm
- 7700 — emergency
('seventy-five, taken alive; seventy-six, radio fix; seventy-seven, going to heaven')
Squawk 1200 for normal VFR, with altitude reporting on — Mode C is required in Class A/B/C, above 10,000 feet MSL, and within the 30 nm Mode C veil of Class B airports (91.215). Never cycle through the emergency codes while changing a squawk.
Related: radar can do a lot for a VFR pilot — flight following gives traffic advisories and safety alerts workload permitting, and if I'm lost or in trouble, saying so gets vectors and the full toolkit. Declaring an emergency is a decision I make early, not after options run out.
RWSL is automatic, ATC-independent: red in-pavement Runway Entrance Lights (RELs) at taxiway/runway crossings mean the runway is unsafe to enter; red Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs) on the runway mean unsafe to depart. Red lights, don't move — even with a clearance; query ATC (AIM 2-1-6).
PAPI: four lights in a row — two white two red is on the roughly 3-degree path; more white, high; more red, low ('all red, you're dead').
VASI: two bars — red over white is on path; white over white high; red over red low. VASI guarantees obstacle clearance within plus/minus 10 degrees of extended centerline out to 4 nm (AIM 2-1-2).
- Runway edge lights: white (HIRL/MIRL/LIRL by intensity), turning amber in the caution zone on instrument runways
- Threshold lights: green from the approach side, red from the runway side (end lights)
- REILs: flashing strobes marking the threshold
- Taxiways: blue edge lights, green centerline at bigger airports
- Rotating beacon: white-green for a lighted land airport — on during the day suggests IFR weather in Class B/C/D/E surface areas
- Pilot-controlled lighting: key the mic 7, 5, or 3 times on the designated frequency for high, medium, or low intensity (AIM 2-1)
An accident — death, serious injury, or substantial damage to the aircraft — requires immediate NTSB notification, with a report on Form 6120.1 due within 10 days. Certain incidents also require immediate notification, among them (NTSB 830.5):
- Flight control system failure
- Crew incapacitation in flight
- Propeller blade release
- In-flight fire
- Mid-air collision damage
- An overdue aircraft believed to be in an accident
Substantial damage excludes things like bent fairings, small skin dents, and ground-only prop damage.
Official ACS elementsreference
Knowledge9 elements
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
PA.III.A.K1How to obtain appropriate radio frequencies.PA.III.A.K2Proper radio communication procedures and air traffic control (ATC) phraseology.PA.III.A.K3ATC light signal recognition.PA.III.A.K4Appropriate use of transponder(s).PA.III.A.K5Lost communication procedures.PA.III.A.K6Equipment issues that could cause loss of communication.PA.III.A.K7Radar assistance.PA.III.A.K8National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident/incident reporting.PA.III.A.K9Runway Status Lighting Systems.
Risk Management4 elements
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
PA.III.A.R1Communication.PA.III.A.R2Deciding if and when to declare an emergency.PA.III.A.R3[Archived]PA.III.A.R4Use of non-standard phraseology.
Skills3 elements
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
PA.III.A.S1Select and activate appropriate frequencies.PA.III.A.S2Transmit using standard phraseology and procedures as specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Pilot/Controller Glossary.PA.III.A.S3Acknowledge radio communications and comply with ATC instructions or as directed by the evaluator.