[Celticwarrior]

Originally Posted by SwampRat1

duster that all the mirror is for, to get their attention. also with those ground signals be sure to make them big enough for the pilot to see. CW probly know for sure but i think the standard is something like 3'x8' or 2'x8'.

The flag-like military signal panels are 20"x70", so about 2'x6'. However, for the "log signals" making up the signs shown above, it is recommended that they should be at LEAST 8' to 10' high, and 2' to 3' wide (per log/ beam/ upright/ whatever). The bigger the better. If you have ever seen the "bird's eye view" of the pickup helicopters that come after Les Stroud or Bear Grylls, you can see that even giant signals or big bonfires look enormous from the ground, yet tiny and almost indistinguishable from the air. Making the signal as BIG as you can, and spacing things out FAR beyond what you THINK is appropriate is the key to getting them noticed. Remember, to get a message across, first someone has to SEE the message!

[Ashlar]

Originally Posted by Dick

Yes, these are internationally recognized symbols. I assume they are a standard part of aviation training.

I had a (recreational) pilot's licence and we never got told any of this. Pilots of jets and other commercial aircraft usually fly too high to see this anywhere except near an airport, anyway. Smaller planes would be the ones that would be in a position to see such markings, and it's not in my text books. The only ground markings we were told about are in a signal area on airport property, which aren't used often anyway.

However, if you signalled a plane with a mirror or other means and they saw a huge arrow on the ground with smoke billowing into the sky next to it, I'm sure they wouldn't delay in putting out a PAN PAN call on their radio for you. The mirror would catch their attention, the smoke would pinpoint where you are, and the arrow would give them no doubt that someone is down there actually signalling, and it's not just a spot fire.