How to Marshall a Jet

Performing Common Hand Signals

1. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 6
   Identify yourself as the marshall by raising your arms. While facing the pilot, raise both arms straight over your head. If you're using wands, extend them straight up. If you're using paddles or gloves, point your palms or the paddles' faces towards the pilot.^[6]

   1. While there's a fair amount of overlap, marshalling signals are not always universal. You may note, for instance, variations in the signals used by the U.S. Air Force,^[7] the UK's Civil Aviation Authority,^[8] and the International Civil Aviation Organization.^[9]
2. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 7
   Direct the pilot to another marshall by pointing with both arms. Lift both arms over your head to identify yourself, then lower and extend them either to your right or left side. Point the pilot in the direction of the marshall they should look for.^[10]

   1. Extend your wands, paddles, or fingertips along with your arms.
3. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 8
   Use a circular wave to have the pilot start the engines. Extend your left arm above your head and hold it steady. Extend your right arm with your elbow bent so that your hand is at ear level. With your right hand, extend your wand or index finger upward and make a twirling motion until the pilot starts the engines.^[11]
4. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 9
   Make a slashing gesture to have the pilot cut the engines. Start with the same positioning as the 'start engines' signal, with your left arm extended straight up and your right hand at ear level. This time, though, use your right index finger or the wand to make a slashing gesture across your throat.^[12]

   1. Repeat the maneuver if necessary until they cut the engines.
5. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 10
   Wave your arms to direct the jet forward. Extend both arms outward at shoulder height. Bend them at the elbows to wave your lower arms back and forth to the sides of your head.^[13]

   1. Keep waving as long as you want the pilot to keep moving the plane forward.
6. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 11
   Have the pilot turn right or left by waving only one arm. Assume the starting position for the 'move forward' signal, but keep one arm extended while bending the other at the elbow to wave it back and forth beside your head. Choose which arm to wave based on which way you want the pilot to turn the plane:^[14]

   1. To have the pilot turn the jet to their left, wave your left arm and point with your right arm.
   2. To have the pilot turn to their right, wave your right arm and point with your left.
7. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 12
   Cross your wands or hands overhead slowly to direct a normal stop. Extend your arms outward to your sides at shoulder height. Slowly raise them overhead and bend your elbows so that you can cross your wands or hands right above your head.^[15]

   1. The pilot should be able to bring the jet to a full stop just as you cross your wands or hands.
8. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 13
   Direct an emergency stop by making a faster signal. The emergency stop signal is the same as the normal stop one, only much faster. Cross your wands or hands overhead as quickly as possible to get the pilot to stop the plane immediately.^[16]

   1. This may be necessary, for instance, if you spot an obstruction on the ground.
9. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 14
   Tell the pilot to slow down by waving your arms beside your hips. Extend your arms to your sides at about waist height. Wave your arms up and down between waist and knee height until the pilot slows down to your liking.^[17]
10. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 15
    Use your fist to direct the pilot to set or release the brakes. To have them set the brakes, keep one hand to your side and raise the other to just above shoulder height. Show them your palm, then slowly close your raised hand into a fist. Start with a fist and slowly open your hand to direct them to release the brakes.^[18]

    1. In either case, you must hold this signal until the pilot confirms that they've complied. They'll do this by giving a 'thumbs up' gesture.
    2. You can use either hand for these signals. If you're using wands or paddles, hold them both in the hand that's at your side.
11. How to Marshall a Jet Picture 16
    Give a thumbs up or thumbs down gesture as needed. For the thumbs up, hold one arm at your side and extend the other so your hand is at about ear level. Extend your thumb or the wand up to indicate an 'all clear' or to answer in the affirmative (in the case of a technical or servicing issue).^[19]

    1. For the thumbs down, extend one arm straight out at shoulder level and point your thumb or the wand straight downward. This is only used to answer in the negative regarding technical or servicing issues.