AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/pilot-light-gun-steady-red-air

In flight, a steady red light from the control tower means what?

Give way to other aircraft and continue circling.

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  1. Give way to other aircraft and keep circling ✔
  2. Airport unsafe, do not land
  3. Return for landing

Why: The AIM table says steady red in flight means give way and continue circling. Flashing red means the airport is unsafe. On the ground, steady red means stop.

Huh, didn't know that: Alternating red and green means exercise extreme caution, in the air or on the ground.

The dad joke
Why did the traffic light turn red? You would too if you had to change in the middle of the street.
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References

Answer: Give way to other aircraft and keep circling. The AIM table says steady red in flight means give way and continue circling. Flashing red means the airport is unsafe. On the ground, steady red means stop.

  1. AIM 4-3 Airport Operations (light gun signals) www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap4_section_3.html
    Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

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