1. PURPOSE: This advisory circular (AC) provides information with respect to the meaning of light gun signals used by air traffic control tower personnel in communicating to ground vehicles, equipment operators, and personnel on the airport movement area.

2. CANCELLATION: AC 90-67A, Light Gun Signals from the Control Tower for Ground Vehicles, Equipment, and Personnel, dated 6/25/81 is cancelled.

3. RELATED DOCUMENTS: Order 7110.65, Air Traffic control; Airman’s Information Manual; Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 91.125; ATC Light Signals; Order 7210.3, Facility operation and Administration; and FAR 139.329, Ground Vehicles.

4. BACKGROUND: This AC informs the aviation community that airport traffic control towers (ATCT) use light gun signals to control ground vehicles, personnel, and equipment operators that are not radio-equipped, or that have malfunctioning radio equipment. Vehicles not radio-equipped should make arrangements with the ATCT through airport management prior to proceeding to any movement area. These signals are basically the same as those used to control aircraft on the ground.

5. PROCEDURE: The primary use of the light gun is to convey instructions when radio communications cannot be conducted due to an equipment malfunction. Personnel, and individuals operating vehicles and equipment on airport movement areas should understand the meanings of light gun signals used by ATCTs and use extreme caution and vigilance to prevent inadvertently following light gun signals intended for aircraft. Personnel should always look in all directions before proceeding onto runways and movement areas used by aircraft, Airport managers and operators should establish safe operating practices for movement areas, including specific instructions on when and where to exit movement areas due to an equipment malfunction and when and where to look for light gun signals from the tower. All ground equipment and vehicles should be placarded with a description of the signals and meanings. Light gun signals and meanings are explained in the attached Appendix 1, Air Traffic Control Tower Light Gun signals.

/s/ Harold W. Becker
For L. Lane Speck, Director,
Air Traffic Rules and Procedures Service