Table 10-4.—Deck Status Lights/Rotating Beacon Signals for
Helicopter Operations
EVOLUTION
DECK STATUS LIGHTS/
ROTATING BEACON SIGNAL
Start Engines
Red
Engage Rotors
Amber
Launch
Green
Recovery
Green
Disengage Rotors
Amber
Shutdown
Red
Q10-21. What color should the deck status lights/
rotating beacon signal be to engage rotors?
Q10-22. Is it permissible to taxi a helicopter on the
flight deck?
SUMMARY
In this chapter you have learned about operating SE
around aircraft, afloat and ashore aircraft operations,
handling and securing procedures, hand signals,
aircraft handling accessories, and the related safety
procedures and requirements.
10-50
EVOLUTION
COMMAND
DISPLAY
MEANING (HELO)
MEANING (AV-8)
1.
Prepare to
start engines
Check chocks,
chains, tie-downs,
fire bottles, and all
loose gear about the
flight deck. Helmets
buckled, goggles
down, start
APP/GTS on
LSE/director signal.
Red signal in
flight deck area
Verify starting wind
limitations chocks and
tie-downs in place.
Boots removed and
stowed. Secure all
loose gear. Man fire
extinguishers.
Intake blanks clear
GTS wind limits met,
chocks, tie-downs in
place, loose gear
secured. Man fire
extinguishers.
2.
Start engines
Start engines
Red signal in
flight deck area
Authority for responsible flight deck personnel to
signal for starting engines. Ship not ready for
flight operations.
3.
Engage/
disengage
rotors
Stand clear of rotors
(20 second pause) -
engage/disengage
rotors
Amber signal in
flight deck area
Ship is ready for the
pilot to engage rotors.
Authority for
responsible flight deck
personnel to signal for
engaging rotors when
the immediate area is
cleared. Ship not ready
for flight operations.
Squadron personnel
conduct poststart
checks (i.e., controls)
clear exhaust areas.
4.
Removal of
tie-downs
Remove all
tie-downs
Not applicable
Note:
Emcon
(Red,
Green,
Red)
Remove tie-downs from aircraft and show to
pilot. LSE points to tie-downs and shows one
finger to the pilot for each tie-down removed.
5.
Launch
Launch aircraft
Green signal in
flight deck area
Ship is ready in all respects for flight operation.
Authority for responsible flight deck personnel to
launch aircraft when pilot is ready and tie-downs
and chocks have been removed.
6.
Aircraft
approaching
Standby to recover
aircraft, spot _____.
Red signal in
flight deck area
Prepare designated landing area to land aircraft.
Ship not ready to recover aircraft.
7.
Recover
Land aircraft
Green signal in
flight deck area
Ship is ready in all respects to land aircraft.
NOTE: Flight deck rotating beacon signals are for Pri-Fly control of flight deck operations only. These lights are
not to be interpreted by pilots as clearance/denial for any evolution.
Table 10-3.—Flight Deck Commands
