Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What does an alternating red and green light directed at you from the control tower indicate?

1. Exercise extreme caution.

2. Give way to other aircraft; continue circling.

3. Return for landing; expect steady green light at proper time.

The correct answer is: Exercise extreme caution.

An alternating red and green light directed at you from the control tower indicates that you should exercise extreme caution. This signal informs pilots that there may be an abnormal situation that requires heightened awareness. It is typically used in scenarios such as a potential collision course with another aircraft or during some emergency situations in the vicinity. Understanding the context of the other signals is essential as well. A steady green light, for example, signifies that it's safe for a pilot to proceed or land, while a red light indicates that the pilot must stop. This is why the response indicating the need to exercise extreme caution is the most appropriate interpretation of an alternating red and green light signal. It emphasizes the need for increased attention and readiness to circle or take other appropriate actions based on changing circumstances.