A military aircraft on your left rocks its wings and begins a slow left turn away from your flight path. What does this indicate?

A military aircraft on your left rocks its wings and begins a slow left turn away from your flight path. What does this indicate?

• A. You have been intercepted; rock your wings and follow the aircraft
• B. The military aircraft is lost and needs assistance
• C. The aircraft is planning to land
• D. No action needed; continue your course

Answer: (A)

When a military aircraft rocks its wings, it is generally a visual signal indicating that it is aware of your presence and intends to communicate something specific. In this scenario, the aircraft's slow left turn away from your flight path, combined with the wing rocking, suggests that the military pilot is trying to establish visual contact and signal that you have been intercepted. The proper response in this situation is to acknowledge the military aircraft’s signal. The action of rocking your wings back is a way to indicate acknowledgment. Following the aircraft can also be appropriate as it indicates you will yield and allow the military aircraft to maintain a safe separation. This kind of maneuver often means the pilot may want you to give way, particularly in cases where the military aircraft must reposition without conflicting with your flight path. The other options suggest misunderstandings of the signals or the situation. For instance, indicating that the military aircraft is lost would not be appropriate, as the wing rock is intentional communication rather than a sign of confusion. Suggesting that the aircraft is planning to land, while possible, does not fit the context of a deliberate signal of interception. Similarly, disregarding the signal and continuing on course without any acknowledgment would not address the clear communication being made by the military aircraft.

When a military aircraft rocks its wings, it is generally a visual signal indicating that it is aware of your presence and intends to communicate something specific. In this scenario, the aircraft's slow left turn away from your flight path, combined with the wing rocking, suggests that the military pilot is trying to establish visual contact and signal that you have been intercepted.

The proper response in this situation is to acknowledge the military aircraft’s signal. The action of rocking your wings back is a way to indicate acknowledgment. Following the aircraft can also be appropriate as it indicates you will yield and allow the military aircraft to maintain a safe separation. This kind of maneuver often means the pilot may want you to give way, particularly in cases where the military aircraft must reposition without conflicting with your flight path.

The other options suggest misunderstandings of the signals or the situation. For instance, indicating that the military aircraft is lost would not be appropriate, as the wing rock is intentional communication rather than a sign of confusion. Suggesting that the aircraft is planning to land, while possible, does not fit the context of a deliberate signal of interception. Similarly, disregarding the signal and continuing on course without any acknowledgment would not address the clear communication being made by the military aircraft.