Page 52 - Airplane Flying Handbook

Ramp traffic may vary from a deserted open space to a complex environment with heavy corporate or military aircraft. Powerful

aircraft may produce exhaust blast or rotor downwash, for example, which could easily cause a light airplane to become

uncontrollable. Mitigating these hazards in a light airplane is important to starting off on a safe flight.

Some ramps may be staffed by personnel to assist the pilot in managing a safe departure from the ramp to the taxiway. Figure 2-13

shows standard aircraft taxiing signals, such as those published in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). There are other

standard signals, such as those published in Advisory Circular 00-34, as revised, and by the Armed Forces. Furthermore, operation

conditions in many areas may call for a modified set of taxi signals. The signals shown in Figure 2-13 represent a minimum number

of the most commonly used signals. Whether this set of signals or a modified set is used is not the most important consideration, as

long as each flight operational center uses a suitable, agreed-upon set of signals.

Figure 2-13. Standard hand signals used to assist pilots in managing a safe departure from the ramp to the taxiway or runway. Note
that at night, the Emergency Stop signal is used for all stop indications .

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