A signal square is an aerodrome equipment internationally defined at the annex 14 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation by the International Civil Aviation Organization.[1]
It contains ground symbols to indicate visually the conditions on the aerodrome to over-flying aircraft. There are four basic signals.[2]
In the UK, the square internal sides should measure 12 metres, "bordered by a white strip 30 centimetres wide"[3] and "so located on the aerodrome that it is visible from all directions of approach".[4] The Schedule 1, Section 9 of the Rules of the Air Regulations 2007 further illustrates the dimensions of each particular signal, e.g. both arms of the landing T should be 4 metres long and 40cm thick, and the dummbell sign should consist of three sections, each 1.5m long. The sides of the red panel with the yellow cross should be 3m, with the crossing lines being 50cm wide. All dimensions shall be "subject to a tolerance of 10 per cent, plus or minus".[3] The same documents include the H sign indicating a landing area for helicopters, commonly used on a helipad (but not a circle around the letter H), to be displayed in the Signals Area.[4][3] According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, these visual aids can be used at aerodromes with a significant amount of general aviation movements.[4]
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A horizontal red square panel with yellow diagonals when displayed in a signal area indicates that landings are prohibited and that the prohibition is liable to be prolonged. -
A horizontal red square panel with one yellow diagonal when displayed in a signal area indicates that owing to the bad state of the manoeuvring area, or for any other reason, special precautions must be observed in approaching to land or in landing. -
A horizontal white dumb-bell when displayed in a signal area indicates that aircraft are required to land, take off and taxi on runways and taxiways only. -
The horizontal white dumb-bell but with a black bar placed perpendicular to the shaft across each circular portion of the dumb-bell when displayed in a signal area indicates that aircraft are required to land and take off on runways only, but other manoeuvres need not be confined to runways and taxiways. -
The landing T, showing the wind direction on an all-over landing field with the tail of the T pointing downwind. On airfields with runways it indicates the landing and take-off direction. -
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Air traffic services reporting office. -
Closed runways or taxiways. -
Directions for landing or take off, runway in use. -
Glider flights in operation.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ International Civil Aviation Organization. Council. (July 2009). Aerodromes : international standards and recommended practices (PDF). Annex ... to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Vol. I — Aerodrome Design and Operations (5th ed.). Montréal: International Civil Aviation Organization. ISBN 978-92-9231-332-6.
- ^ "The Signal Square & Other Visual Signals to Aircraft".
- ^ a b c "The Rules of the Air Regulations 2007, No. 734. Schedule 1, Section 9: Aerodrome Signals and Markings - Visual and Aural Signals". United Kingdom, Department for Transport. 7 March 2007. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ a b c "CAP 637: Visual Aids Handbook. A compendium of Visual Aids intended for the guidance of Pilots and Personnel engaged in the handling of aircraft". UK Civil Aviation Authority. May 2007. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
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