iii
Cover Page
2010
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
Jay Moors
Civilian Contractor/Author
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... v
Hand Signals ................................................................................................................................. 3
Launch Procedures ........................................................................................................................ 9
Index ........................................................................................................................................... 17
iii
Introduction
v
Introduction
Welcome
Welcome to the EA-6B Prowler Hand Signals and Launch Procedures Manual. This manual is
designed to provide information strictly for the EA-6B platform with the basic hand signals for
all EA-6B maintenance personnel. The manual also provides launch procedures for all plane
captains, troubleshooters, and trainees.
This manual is intended to provide all applicable personnel with the basic hand signals and
launch procedures needed to launch an EA-6B. This manual provides signals for the EA-6B that
are not provided by the basic hand signals manual (NA-00-80T-105). All trainees are encouraged
to read it. In order to be fully qualified, all plane captains and troubleshooters must know the
hand signals and standard launch procedures provided by this manual.
What’s Included in the Manual
This manual includes every hand signal applicable to the EA-6B community. Every hand signal
listed has the signal name, description and applicable photo needed. It also includes a brief
description of the basic areas to look at before and/or during the procedure.
The manual also includes a step-by-step launch procedure to standardize launch procedures for
all EA-6B squadrons. Every squadron will train with this manual in order to reduce confusion
amongst the squadrons and community. The step-by-step procedures have the steps for plane
captain, troubleshooters, ordnanceman, ground crew, and QAR’s. Even though this manual is not
intended for aircrew, it includes steps for the pilot.
Fly Page Chapter 1
Hand Signals
3
Hand Signals
The hand signals below should be used by all maintenance personnel. The steps below are not to
be used with any other type of aircraft except for EA-6B Prowlers. The applicable hand signals
are not listed in any particular order.
Signal & Description
Signal: open canopies.
Description: hold your left
palm facing up pointed to
whoever you want to open
the canopy. Have your right
hand resting on your head
then raise it up.
Signal: close canopies.
Description: Hold your left
palm facing up, pointed to
whoever you want to close
the canopy. Have your right
hand facing up, and then
bring down to the top of your
head.
Signal: apply air.
Description: open your left
palm and your right middle,
ring, and pinky fingers. Bring
your right hand to meet your
left palm.
Signal: start starboard
engine.
Description: use any two
fingers on both hands. Hold
out your left hand and move
your right forearm up and
down.
Photo
What To Look For
What to look for: ensure the
applicable aircrew is ready to
open their canopies.
What to look for: ensure all
applicable aircrew is ready to
close canopies and all hands
and feet are clear of the area.
What to look for: ensure the
ground crew is ready to apply
air as well as the pilot before
you apply the air.
What to look for: ensure the air
hose is full of air and the pilot
is ready to start before starting
engine. Check that is starts
normal and all personnel are
clear of the exhaust and intake
when the engine is fully
online.
4
Signal: remove electrical
power from aircraft.
Description: open your left
palm and have two fingers on
your right hand out. Hold
your fingers against your left
palm then push your right
hand away from your left.
Signal: pull landing gear pins
Description: Hold your left
forearm up. Open two fingers
on your right hand and touch
your left elbow and then push
your right forearm away
from your left elbow.
Signal: raise RAT
Description: Open both of
palms. Hold your right arm
out to your side. Hold your
left hand in front of your
waist and then bring the left
hand up toward your chest.
Signal: lower RAT
Description: Open both of
your palms. Hold your right
arm out to your right side.
Hold your left hand in front
of your chest and then push
your left hand down toward
your waist.
Signal: start port engine
Description: touch your left
pointer finger to your right
elbow and hold your right
pointer finger out and then
move your right forearm up
and down repeatedly.
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
What to look for: ensure the
electrical power unit is turned
off before removing electrical
power from the aircraft.
What to look for: ensure that
all troubleshooters see the
signal when given. No
troubleshooter can remove any
landing gear pins unless told
to.
What to look for: ensure the rat
is clear to open before
opening. Also ensure the RAT
opens normally to a full
upright position.
What to look for: ensure the rat
is clear of obstructing anything
before you closing. Also check
and make sure the rat closes
properly and is flush with the
aircraft.
What to look for: ensure the air
hose is full of air and the pilot
is ready to start before starting
engine. Check that is starts
normal and all personnel are
clear of the exhaust and intake
when the engine is fully
online.
Hand Signals
Signal: remove external air
unit power from aircraft.
Description: open your right
middle, ring, and pinky
fingers and hold them up
with your inside palm facing
you. Then turn your hand
180° down counterclockwise.
Signal: Raise tail hook
Description: Open your left
palm and make a “thumbs
down” with your right hand.
Then bring your right thumb
down to meet the bottom of
your left palm.
Signal: Raise tail hook
Description: Open your left
palm and make a “thumbs
up” with your right hand.
Then bring your right thumb
to meet the bottom of your
left palm.
Signal: Spin assist
Description: Open both of
your palms. Push one hand
out while keeping the other
hand by your chest and then
pull back your hand while
pushing out the other. Repeat
three times.
Signal: Cut.
Description: open your right
palm and make one sweeping
motion below your chin.
5
What to look for: ensure the
external air unit is shut off
before removing it from the
aircraft.
What to look for: Ensure the
tail hook area is clear before
lowering the tail hook. Then
check that the tail hook comes
down normally and all
hardware is accounted for.
What to look for: Ensure the
tail hook is rising normally and
becomes flush with the skin
when it is fully raised.
What to look for: ensure both
the horizontal and vertical
stabilizers are making their
normal maximum throws.
What to look for: this signal
precedes many other signals
when asked to disengage the
system. During the launch
procedures, if the word “cut” is
used with the hand signal, this
signal will be used first before
using the other.
6
Signal: small wipeout.
Description: open up your
left palm and with your right
hand clench in a fist, make a
counterclockwise stirring
motion in the palm of your
left hand.
Signal: pressure.
Description: stick out your
pointer and middle fingers on
both hands then bring both
sets of fingers together in
front of your face and then
bring your left arm down.
Signal: open flaps/slats to
30°.
Description: Hold both arms
in front of you with your
palms touching and then
separate your arms moving
your right arm up and left
arm down.
Signal: open speed brakes.
Description: Hold both of
your arms together in front of
you with both palms pressed
against each other and then
slowly make spread your
forearms from each other,
separating the palms.
Signal: close speed brakes.
Description: Hold both of
your arms out with your
palms facing inward then
make a closing motion until
both of your palms meet in
the middle.
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
What to look for: ensure the
flaperons, horizontal stabilizers
and vertical stabilizer are
making their normal maximum
throws.
What to look for: when the
system is pressurized, ensure
there are no leaks coming from
any of the fuel probes. When
the system cuts the pressure,
check to make sure air comes
out of the drop tanks and the
tail skag.
What to look for: ensure the
flaps and slats open up fully to
30° and that all hardware is
accounted for.
What to look for: ensure the
speed brakes are clear before
opening the speed brakes.
Then check to make sure the
speed brakes open normally.
What to look for: ensure the
speed brakes are clear before
closing the speed brakes. Then
check that the speed brakes
close normally and are flush
with each other when fully
closed.
Hand Signals
Signal: large wipe out.
Description: make a fist with
your right hand while
holding your left arm behind
your back and then with your
right fist, make a big circular
stirring motion. Repeat three
times.
Signal: move flaps and slats
to 20°.
7
What to look for: ensure the
flaperons, horizontal stabilizers
and vertical stabilizer are
making their normal maximum
throws.
What to look for: ensure the
flaps move to 20° and the slats
move to 30°.
Description: make a “V”
shape with both hands open.
This signal can be made from
the closed signal or the 30°
signal.
Signal: close flaps and slats
to 0°.
Description: Hold both arms
in front of you with your
palms touching. This signal
is usually made from the
move 20° or 30° signal.
Signal: belly check.
Description: Open both
palms and slide each hand
down your chest to your
waist, one at a time. Repeat
three times.
Signal: pass control.
Description: Open both
palms and place each palm
on the side of your head and
then point your palms to
whomever you’re passing
control of the aircraft to.
What to look for: ensure that
the flaps and slats close
properly and are flush with the
aircraft.
What to look for: ensure that
the underside of the aircraft is
checked for leaks and all
compartments and doors are
closed.
What to look for: ensure that
the pilot has seen you pass
control of the aircraft.
8
Signal: accept control
Description: Make a fist with
your right hand and hold it
up to your chest while
holding your left arm behind
your back.
Signal: arm stations.
Description: Hold both hands
held up in the shapes of guns.
Signal: pull pins.
Description: Hold your right
pointer finger and have it
touching the inside edge of
your clenched left fist and
then pull both hands apart
away from each other.
Signal: check tools.
Description: Take your right
hand and pat your right thigh
and give the “thumbs up”
signal.
Signal: insert chocks.
Description: Stick your
thumb out in each clenched
fist and then move the
thumbs inward to each other
till they touch.
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
What to look for: ensure the
pilot has seen that you have
accepted control of the aircraft.
What to look for: ensure all
aircrew has your attention and
has their hands up and away
from all controls in the
cockpit. Also ensure nobody is
around the aircraft except for
qualified ordnance personnel.
What to look for: ensure
everyone stays away from the
aircraft except for qualified
ordnance personnel. Also
make sure all pins are removed
from the stations and the
stations are armed.
What to look for: ensure that a
QAR has looked at everyone’s
tools and confirmed it with you
before the signal is given to the
pilot.
What to look for: ensure that
the aircraft has come to a
complete stop before inserting
chocks.
Hand Signals
Signal: remove chocks.
Description: Touch the
bottoms of your fists together
with your thumbs pointed to
the side and then separate the
fists.
Signal: brakes off.
Description: hold both hands
in front of you, clenched into
a fist and then open your fists
so your palms are showing.
Signal: taxi aircraft.
Description: hold your hands
in a diamond shape, showing
your palms. Separate your
hands until they’re fully
extended then bring them
back together and repeat the
steps.
Signal: brakes on.
Description: Hold both of
your hands in front of you,
showing your palms and then
clench your hands into fists.
9
What to look for: ensure that
the aircrew is ready to remove
chocks before giving the
signal.
What to look for: ensure
nothing is in front of the
aircraft and the chocks are
removed before you give the
signal to release brakes.
What to look for: ensure all
ground personnel and
equipment are away from the
front of the aircraft when
taxiing the aircraft.
What to look for: when
performing a shock strut test
on the aircraft and the signal
for brakes on is given, look to
ensure the nose landing gear
strut absorbs the weight of the
aircraft.
Index
13
Launch Procedures
Equipment & Personnel Required to Perform an EA-6B Launch








1 Halon fire bottle
1 external electrical power cart/power supply
1 external air start unit (huffer)
1 Flight Line Coordinator
1 QAR (Quality Assurance Representative)
All applicable troubleshooters:
o 1 AE (Aviation Electrician Mate)
o 1 AD (Aviation Machinist Mate)
o 1 AM (Aviation Structural Mechanic)
o 1 AME (Aviation Structural Mechanic Safety Equipment)
o 1 AT (Aviation Electronics Technician)
o 2 AO’s (Aviation Ordnanceman)
o 1 PR (Aircrew Survival Equipmentman)*
1 plane captain
2 plane captain trainees
*For the many EA-6B squadrons, PR troubleshooters are not required. However, some
squadrons allow/require PR’s to participate.
EA-6B Launch Procedure
Note: These launch procedures are standard among all EA-6B squadrons. Although most
pilots use the standard launch procedures to go through aircraft checks, there are some pilots
that may want to change applicable steps. As long as it doesn’t damage any systems or cause
harm to aircrew or ground personnel, you may alter the order of the steps.
The pilot is going to arrive with the other aircrew. They will perform a preflight inspection of the
aircraft before they climb into the cockpit. All ground personnel will ensure that they are ready
to go and assist any aircrew with discrepancies that they notice. When all aircrew is in the
aircraft, the plane captain will signal to the ground crew to warm up the air start unit. The plane
captain, troubleshooters, and ground crew will all stand by. When the aircrew is ready, the pilot
will give the plane captain a “thumbs up” signal.
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EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
Note: These launch procedures are color coded to help distinguish every position and job.
AO’s
Ground
crew
Pilot
Plane
Captain
QAR
Troubleshooters
1. Plane captain signal to pilot: close canopies.
Pilot and aircrew: close canopies.
Plane captain signal to ground crew: apply air.
Ground crew: press the START button on the external air start unit and allow the air to
bleed into the aircraft to start the engine.
2. Plane captain signal to pilot: start starboard engine.
Pilot: start starboard engine.
Troubleshooters: confirm starboard engine starts.
3. Plane captain signal to ground crew: remove electrical power from aircraft.
Plane captain signal to troubleshooters: pull all 3 landing gear pins out of the landing
gear.
4. Ground crew: turn off external electrical power and remove power from aircraft.
Troubleshooters: Both left and right side troubleshooters pull the main landing gear pins
from main landing gear (2 total). The left side troubleshooter will then hand their landing
gear pin to the right side troubleshooter and proceed back to the left side of the aircraft to
perform RAT check. The right side troubleshooter will remove the nose landing gear pin
while the RAT check is being performed.
5. Plane captain signal to pilot: raise ram air
turbine (RAT).
Pilot: pull ram air turbine (RAT) handle up.
Left side troubleshooter: confirm ram air
turbine (RAT) raises.
6. Plane captain signal: lower ram air turbine
(RAT)
Pilot: push ram air turbine (RAT) down.
Left side troubleshooter: confirm ram air
turbine (RAT) closes.
Figure 1
Works Cited
15
7. Right side troubleshooter: should now have the nose landing gear pin removed and have
all 3 landing gear pins in your hand. Hold them up for the pilot to confirm the 3 pins were
removed (figure 1).
Plane captain: point and confirm each pin is removed for the pilot.
Pilot: confirm 3 pins are removed.
Right side troubleshooter: store the 3 landing gear pins in the left side boarding ladder
compartment and walk back to the right side of the aircraft.
8. Plane captain signal to pilot: start port engine.
Pilot: start port engine.
Left side troubleshooter: confirm that port engine starts.
9. Pilot signal to plane captain: pull external air unit power from aircraft.
Plane captain signal to ground crew: shut off and pull external air unit power.
Ground crew: shut off and pull external air unit power from aircraft.
10. Pilot: perform cockpit checks then give plane captain “thumbs up” signal.
Plane captain signal to pilot: drop tail hook.
Pilot: drop tail hook.
Troubleshooters: confirm tail hook drops.
11. Plane captain signal to pilot: raise tail hook.
Pilot: raise tail hook.
Troubleshooters: confirm tail hook raises (figure 2).
12. Plane captain signal to pilot: spin assist.
Pilot: flip spin assist switch to ON position then move
control stick forward and aft. Also alternately push left
and right rudder pedals forward and aft.
Troubleshooters: confirm both the horizontal stabilizers
and vertical stabilizer is performing full throws.
Figure 2
13. Plane captain signal to pilot: cut spin assist.
Pilot: flip spin assist switch to OFF position then move control stick forward and aft and
alternately push left and right rudder pedals in.
Troubleshooters: confirm both the horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizer is
performing minimum throws.
14. Plane captain signal to pilot: small wipeout.
16
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
Pilot: move control stick in circular motion and alternately push left and right rudder
pedals in.
Troubleshooters: confirm both the flaperons are raising and lowering. Also ensure
horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizer is performing minimum throws.
15. Plane captain signal to pilot: pressurize, open flaps and slats to 30°, and open speed
brakes.
Pilot: flip the pressurization switch to PRESSURE, move the flaps/slats handle to 30°,
and move the speed brake switch aft to OPEN position.
Troubleshooters: confirm that the flaps and slats lower to 30° (figure 3) and the speed
brakes open fully. Confirm all the hardware on the flaps, slats, and speed brakes is
present and installed correctly. Confirm that the underside of the aircraft is free of leaks.
16. Plane captain signal to pilot: close speed brakes.
Pilot: move speed brake switch forward to CLOSED position.
Troubleshooters: confirm speed brakes close.
17. Plane captain signal: cut pressure.
Pilot: flip the pressurization switch to OFF.
Troubleshooters: confirm that pressure is released from drop tanks.
18. Plane captain signal to pilot: large wipeout.
Pilot: move control stick in circular motion and alternately push left and right rudder
pedals in.
Troubleshooters: confirm both the flaperons are raising and lowering. Also confirm
horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizer is performing minimum throws.
19. Plane captain signal to pilot: close flaps and
slats to 20°.
Pilot: move flaps and slats handle to 20°.
Troubleshooters: confirm that flaps and slats
close to 20°.
20. Plane captain signal to pilot: close flaps and
slats to 0°.
Pilot: move flaps and slats handle to 0°.
Troubleshooters: confirm that flaps and slats
fully close. Then confirm that hydraulics
systems are full of hydraulic fluid.
Figure 3
Works Cited
17
21. Plane captain signal to pilot: open flaps and slats to 30°.
Pilot: move flaps and slats handle to 30°.
Troubleshooters: confirm that flaps and slats open to 30° while simultaneously
confirming that the horizontal stabilizers lower.
Left side troubleshooter: after confirmation, walk to the plane captain to accept control of
the aircraft.
22. Plane captain signal to pilot: perform plane captain belly check and pass control to the
left side troubleshooter.
Left side troubleshooter signal to pilot: accept control of the aircraft.
Plane captain: confirm underside of aircraft is free of leaks and all compartments are
closed. After confirmation, walk to the left side troubleshooter to accept control of the
aircraft.
Left side troubleshooter signal to pilot: pass control to the plane captain.
Plane captain signal to pilot: accept control of the aircraft.
23. Plane captain signal to pilot: arm stations.
Plane captain signal to pilot: pass control to the AO’s.
AO’s signal to pilot: accept control of aircraft, clear area of all personnel and signal
aircrew to keep their hands free from everything.
AO’s: pull pins (figure 4) and arm stations.
AO’s signal to pilot: count applicable number of pins
and pass control to the plane captain.
Plane captain: accept control of the aircraft.
24. QAR: check tools.
Plane captain: confirm tools are checked.
Plane captain signal to pilot: tools are checked.
25. Plane captain signal to pilot: pull chocks.
Pilot signal to plane captain: pull chocks.
Ground crew: pull chocks.
26. Plane captain signal to pilot: brakes off and taxi
aircraft.
Plane captain signal to pilot: brakes on.
Plane captain: ensure shock strut absorbs weight of aircraft.
Plane captain signal to pilot: brakes off, taxi aircraft, and salute.
Figure 4
18
EA-6B Hand Signals & Launch Procedures Manual
Works Cited
19
Works Cited
Naval Air Systems Command. Aircraft Signals NATOPS Manual. San Diego, California: Naval
Air Technical Command Publications, 2001.
Index
21
Index
0°, 8, 17
20°, 7, 8, 16, 17
30°, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17
accept control, 8
apply air, 3
arm stations, 8
belly check, 8
brakes off, 9
brakes on, 10
check tools, 9
close canopies, 3
cut, 6
flaps, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17
ground crew, v, 3, 13, 14, 15
insert chocks, 9
landing gear pins, 4, 14, 15
large wipe out, 7
lower RAT, 4
open canopies, 3
ordnanceman, v
pilot, v, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
plane captain, v, 13, 15, 17, 18
pressure, 6
pull pins, 9
QAR, v, 9, 13, 14, 17
raise RAT, 4
RAT, 4, 14, 15
remove chocks, 9
remove electrical power from aircraft, 4
remove external air unit power, 5
slats, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17
small wipeout, 6
speed brakes, 7, 16
spin assist, 6
start port engine, 5
start starboard engine, 3
tail hook, 5, 15
taxi aircraft, 10
thumbs up, 5, 9, 13, 15
troubleshooters, v, 4, 13, 14