SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-light-gun-flashing-white

A taxiing airplane sees a flashing white light from the tower. What does it mean?

Return to your starting point on the airport.

  1. Taxi faster
  2. Taxi clear of the runway in use
  3. Return to your starting point ✔

Why: In the AIM light gun table, flashing white on the ground means return to the starting point. Flashing red means taxi clear of the runway. Flashing white has no meaning in flight.

Huh, didn't know that: Towers use light signals for aircraft without a radio, or when radio contact cannot be established.

The dad joke
Flashing white from the tower is the airport's way of saying, back to square one.
Like this card?
Play the game

Sources

  1. AIM 4-3 Airport Operations (light gun signals) https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_3.html
  2. FAA Private Pilot Airplane sample questions https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/test_questions/par_questions.pdf

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesIn flight, a steady red light from the control tower means what?Flying & DronesAt a runway holding position marking, on which side must you stop when told to hold short?Flying & DronesWhat colors identify an airport mandatory instruction sign, such as a runway hold sign?

That's stuff everyone should know.