ifm01005

Section 5. International Interception Procedures

1-5-1. GENERAL

a. There are occasions when interceptor pilots are required to transmit instructions to pilots of intercepted aircraft. When radio communications are not available, visual signals are used.

b. Interceptor pilots will approach the aircraft to be intercepted from astern, employing the Interception Pattern for Identification of Transport Aircraft. A distance of at least 500 feet shall be maintained between aircraft exchanging signals. Intercepted aircraft, regardless of ATC clearance, shall follow the instructions given by the interceptor aircraft and shall attempt to notify the appropriate ATC unit. Additionally, the pilot of the intercepted aircraft shall attempt radio contact with the interceptor aircraft on 121.5 MHz, giving aircraft identity, flight purpose and position.

1-5-2. SIGNALS

Series INTERCEPTING AIRCRAFT Signals Meaning INTERCEPTED AIRCRAFT Responds Meaning

1 DAY-Rocking wings from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left, on to the desired heading.
NIGHT-Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals.
Note 1-Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to take up a position slightly above and ahead of, and to the right of, the intercepted aircraft and to make the subsequent turn to the right.
Note 2-If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the intercepting aircraft, the latter is expected to fly a series of race-track patterns and to rock its wings each time it passes the intercepted aircraft.
have been intercepted. Follow me. AEROPLANES:
DAY-Rocking wings and following.

NIGHT-Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals.

HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following.

Understood, will comply.

2 DAY or NIGHT-An abrupt break-away maneuver from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. You may proceed. AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT-Rocking wings
HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft.
Understood, will comply.

3 DAY-Circling aerodrome, lowering landing gear and overflying runway in direction of landing or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area.
NIGHT-Same and, in addition, showing steady landing lights.
Land at this aerodrome. AEROPLANES:
DAY-Lowering landing gear, following the intercepting aircraft and, if after overflying the runway landing is considered safe, proceeding to land.
NIGHT-Same and, in addition, showing steadying landing lights (if carried).
HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Following the intercepting aircraft and proceeding to land, showing a steady landing light (if carried).
Understood, will comply.

4 AEROPLANES:
DAY-Raising landing gear while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome.
NIGHT-Flashing landing lights while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available.
Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate. DAY or NIGHT-If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.
If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.
Understood, follow me.

Understood, you may proceed.

5 AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT-Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights. Cannot comply. DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. Understood.

6 AEROPLANES:
DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights.
HELICOPTERS:
DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights.
In distress. DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. Understood.

Series	INTERCEPTING AIRCRAFT Signals	Meaning	INTERCEPTED AIRCRAFT Responds	Meaning
1	DAY-Rocking wings from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left, on to the desired heading. NIGHT-Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals. Note 1-Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to take up a position slightly above and ahead of, and to the right of, the intercepted aircraft and to make the subsequent turn to the right. Note 2-If the intercepted aircraft is not able to keep pace with the intercepting aircraft, the latter is expected to fly a series of race-track patterns and to rock its wings each time it passes the intercepted aircraft.	have been intercepted. Follow me.	AEROPLANES: DAY-Rocking wings and following. NIGHT-Same and, in addition, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals. HELICOPTERS: DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft, flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following.	Understood, will comply.
2	DAY or NIGHT-An abrupt break-away maneuver from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft.	You may proceed.	AEROPLANES: DAY or NIGHT-Rocking wings HELICOPTERS: DAY or NIGHT-Rocking aircraft.	Understood, will comply.
3	DAY-Circling aerodrome, lowering landing gear and overflying runway in direction of landing or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopter landing area. NIGHT-Same and, in addition, showing steady landing lights.	Land at this aerodrome.	AEROPLANES: DAY-Lowering landing gear, following the intercepting aircraft and, if after overflying the runway landing is considered safe, proceeding to land. NIGHT-Same and, in addition, showing steadying landing lights (if carried). HELICOPTERS: DAY or NIGHT-Following the intercepting aircraft and proceeding to land, showing a steady landing light (if carried).	Understood, will comply.
4	AEROPLANES: DAY-Raising landing gear while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome. NIGHT-Flashing landing lights while passing over landing runway at a height exceeding 300m (1,000 ft) but not exceeding 600m (2,000 ft) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle the aerodrome. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available.	Aerodrome you have designated is inadequate.	DAY or NIGHT-If it is desired that the intercepted aircraft follow the intercepting aircraft to an alternate aerodrome, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear and uses the Series 1 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.	Understood, follow me. Understood, you may proceed.
5	AEROPLANES: DAY or NIGHT-Regular switching on and off of all available lights but in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing lights.	Cannot comply.	DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.	Understood.
6	AEROPLANES: DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights. HELICOPTERS: DAY or NIGHT-Irregular flashing of all available lights.	In distress.	DAY or NIGHT-Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.	Understood.

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