Steady red taxi light signal

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 24 of 26 on Ground Operations and Servicing. ACS element AM.I.F.K4 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA control tower directs a steady red light signal at an aircraft taxiing on the airport. What does this signal mean?

ATaxi clear of the runway in use
BStop
CReturn to the starting point

Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Stop

A — incorrect That instruction is given by a flashing red light, not a steady red light.
B — correct In the standard taxi light signals used by control towers, a steady red light means stop.
C — incorrect A flashing white light tells the aircraft to return to its starting point.

BACKGROUND

Control towers use standard light signals to control and expedite the taxiing of aircraft. Flashing green means cleared to taxi, steady red means stop, flashing red means taxi clear of the runway in use, flashing white means return to the starting point, and alternating red and green means exercise extreme caution. A mechanic who taxis or tows aircraft must recognize these signals. The handbook also requires that, prior to any movement of aircraft across runways or taxiways, the airport control tower be contacted on the appropriate frequency for clearance to proceed.

STUDY TIP

Learn the five light signals as a set, paying attention to whether each color is steady or flashing.

KEY POINTS

Steady red from the tower means stop.
Flashing red means taxi clear of the runway in use; flashing green means cleared to taxi.
Obtain tower clearance before crossing any runway or taxiway.

SOURCES

FAA-H-8083-30B ch01 "Taxiing Aircraft", Figure 1-22 Standard taxi light signals

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