Radio Communications and Light-Gun Signals
Radios and the light gun
Balloons often fly without a radio or transponder, so the exam tests the fallback: light gun signals from a tower, plus standard frequencies and phraseology when you do carry a radio.
Light gun signals (14 CFR 91.125)
- Steady green: in the air, cleared to land; on the ground, cleared for takeoff.
- Flashing green: in the air, return for landing; on the ground, cleared to taxi.
- Steady red: in the air, give way to other aircraft and continue circling; on the ground, stop.
- Flashing red: in the air, airport unsafe, do not land; on the ground, taxi clear of the runway.
- Flashing white: on the ground, return to the starting point; not applicable in the air.
- Alternating red and green: exercise extreme caution, in the air and on the ground.
Frequencies and codes
121.5 is the emergency and guard frequency; 122.75 is air-to-air; 122.0 is Flight Watch (EFAS); 122.2 is a common FSS frequency. CTAF and UNICOM frequencies are printed on the sectional. Transponder codes: 7700 emergency, 7600 lost communications, 7500 unlawful interference. With no transponder, you still make position reports on a monitored CTAF.
Phraseology
Identify with aircraft type and N-number (Balloon N12345), then position, altitude and intentions. Use standard replies: roger, wilco, affirmative, negative, say again, stand by. Read back clearances and hold-short instructions.
Worked example
Your handheld radio fails as you drift toward a Class D airport. The tower gives you a steady red light. You give way to other traffic and continue circling away from the airport; you do not enter the Class D and you land outside it. A flashing green would mean return for landing, which assumes the tower wants you on the field - a different instruction with a different response.
Traps
Confusing steady red (continue circling, give way) with flashing red (do not land); assuming a light gun signal authorizes Class B entry; and forgetting that radio failure does not suspend the airspace rules - without a clearance you stay out.