Note:see tables 1 Signals initiated by intercepting aircraft and responses by intercepted aircraft and table 2 Signals initiated by intercepted aircraft and responses by intercepting aircraft.
Series | INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals | Meaning | INTERCEPTED Aircraft Responds | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
DAY or NIGHT Rocking aircraft and flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals (and landing lights in the case of a helicopter) from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft (or to the right if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter) and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left, (or to the right in the case of a helicopter) on the desired heading. Note 1. Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to reverse the positions and direction of turn given above in Series1. Note 2. If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the intercepting aircraft, the latter is expected to fly a series of racetrack patterns and to rock the aircraft each time it passes the intercepted aircraft. | You have been intercepted. Follow me. | DAY or NIGHT Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following. Note. Additional action required to be taken by intercepted aircraft is prescribed in Annex 2, Chapter 3, 3.8. | Understood, will comply. |
2 | DAY or NIGHT An abrupt breakaway manoeuvre from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. | You may proceed. | DAY or NIGHT Rocking the aircraft. | Understood, will comply. |
3 | DAY or NIGHT Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and overflying runway in use or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area. In the case of helicopters, the intercepting helicopter makes a landing approach, coming to hover near to the landing area. | Land at this aerodrome. | DAY or NIGHT Lowering landing gear, (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and following the intercepting aircraft and, if, after overflying the runway in use or helicopter landing area, landing is considered safe, proceeding to land. | Understood, will comply. |
Series | INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals | Meaning | INTERCEPTED Aircraft Responds | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 |
DAY or NIGHT Raising landing gear (if fitted) and flashing landing lights while passing over runway in use or helicopter landing area at a height exceeding 300 m (1000 ft) but not exceeding 600 m (2000 ft) (in the case of a helicopter, at a height exceeding 50m (170 ft) but not exceeding 100 m (330 ft)) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle runway in use or helicopter landing area. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available. | Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate. | DAY or NIGHT If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear (if fitted) and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood, follow me. |
5 |
DAY or NIGHT Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights. | Cannot comply. | DAY or NIGHT Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood. |
6 | DAY or NIGHT Irregular flashing of all available lights. | In distress. | DAY or NIGHT Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood. |
If radio contact is established during interception but communication in a common language is not possible, attempts shall be made to convey instructions, acknowledgement of instructions and essential information by using the phrases and pronunciations in the following table, transmitting each phrase twice:
Phrases for use by INTERCEPTING Aircraft | Phrases for use by INTERCEPTED Aircraft | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phrase | Pronunciation1 | Meaning | Phrase | Pronunciation 1 | Meaning |
CALL SIGN | KOL SA-IN | What is your call sign? | CALL SIGN (call sign)2 | KOL SA-IN (call sign) | My call Sign is (call sign) |
FOLLOW | FOL-LO | Follow me | WILCO | VILL-KO | Understood Will comply |
DESCEND | DEE-SEND | Descend for landing | CAN NOT | KANN NOTT | Unable to comply |
YOU LAND | YOU LAAND | Land at this aerodrome | REPEAT | REE-PEET | Repeat your instruction |
PROCEED | PRO-SEED | You may proceed | AM LOST | AM LOSST | Position unknown |
MAYDAY | MAYDAY | I am in distress | |||
HIJACK3 | HI-JACK | I have been hijacked | |||
LAND (place name) | LAAND (place name) | I request to land at (place name) | |||
DESCEND | DEE-SEND | I require descent |