The following procedures and visual signals apply over the territory and territorial waters of Portugal in the event of interception* of an aircraft.
* The word “interception” in this context does not include intercept and escort service provided, on request, to an aircraft in distress, in accordance with the Search and Rescue Manual (DOC 7333).
If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual signals, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the visual instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by radio, the intercepted aircraft shall request immediate clarification while continuing to comply with the radio instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
If radio contact is established during interception but communication in a common language is not possible, attempts must be made to convey instructions, acknowledgement of instructions and essential information by using the phrases and pronunciations contained in the following tables hereunder and transmitting each phrase twice:
Phrase | Pronunciation* | Meaning |
CALL SIGN | KOL - SA - IN | What is your call sign? |
FOLLOW | FOL - LO | Follow me |
DESCEND | DEE - SEND | Descend for landing |
YOU LAND | YOU LAAND | Land at this aerodrome |
PROCEED | PRO - SEED | You may proceed |
Phrase | Pronunciation* | Meaning |
CALL SIGN (call sign*) | KOL - SA - IN (call sign) | My call sign is (call sign) |
WILCO | VILL - KO | Understood. Will comply |
CAN NOT | KANN NOTT | Unable to comply |
REPEAT | REE - PEET | Repeat your instruction |
AM LOST | AM LOSST | Position unknown |
MAYDAY | MAYDAY | I am in distress |
HIJACK * | HI - JACK | I have been hijacked |
LAND (place name) | LAAND (place name) | I request to land at (place name) |
DESCEND | DEE SEND | I require descent |
Series | INTERCEPTING Aircraft Signals | Meaning | INTERCEPTED Aircraft responds | Meaning |
1 | DAY or NIGHT - Rocking aircraft and flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals (and landing lights in the case of a helicopter) from a position slightly above and ahead of, and normally to the left of, the intercepted aircraft (or to the right if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter) and, after acknowledgement, a slow level turn, normally to the left. (or to the right in the case of a helicopter) on the desired heading.Note 1. - Meteorological conditions or terrain may require the intercepting aircraft to reverse the positions and direction of turn given above in Series 1.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 racetrack patterns and to rock the aircraft each time it passes the intercepted aircraft. | You have been intercepted.Follow me. | DAY OR NIGHT - Rocking aircraft.flashing navigational lights at irregular intervals and following. | Understood, will comply. |
2 | DAY or NIGHT - An abrupt break-away manoeuvre from the intercepted aircraft consisting of a climbing turn of a 90 degrees or more without crossing the line of flight of the intercepted aircraft. | You mayproceed. | DAY OR NIGHT - Rocking the aircraft. | Understood will comply. |
3 | DAY or NIGHT - Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and overflying runway in use or, if the intercepted aircraft is a helicopter, overflying the helicopters landing area. In the case of helicopters, the intercepting helicopter makes a landing approach, coming to hover near to the landing area. | Land at thisaerodrome. | DAY or NIGHT- Lowering landing gear (if fitted), showing steady landing lights and following the intercepting aircraft and, if after overflying the runway in use or helicopter landing area, landing is considered safe, proceeding to land. | Understood will comply. |
Series | INTERCEPTED Aircraft Signals | Meaning | INTERCEPTING Aircraft responds | Meaning |
4 | DAY or NIGHT - Raising landing gear (if fitted) and flashing landing lights while passing over runway in use or helicopter landing area at a height exceeding 300M (1000FT) but not exceeding 600M (2000FT) (in the case of a helicopter, at a height exceeding 50M (170FT) but not exceeding 100M (330FT) above the aerodrome level, and continuing to circle runway in use or helicopter landing area. If unable to flash landing lights, flash any other lights available. | Aerodrome you have designated isinadequate. | 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 (if fitted) 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 mayproceed. |
5 | 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 | DAY or NIGHT - Irregular flashing of all available lights. | In distress. | DAY or NIGHT - Use Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft. | Understood. |