FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Navigation and AirspaceMedium
While flying at night, a pilot observes an airport rotating beacon showing two quick white flashes followed by a green flash. This flash pattern identifies the airport as:
- AA military airport
- BA heliport
- CA water airport
- DA civilian land airport
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. A military airport
Military airport beacons show a dual-peaked (two quick) white flash alternating with a green flash, distinguishing them from civilian airports, which use a single white and single green flash.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Heliports use alternating white, green, and yellow flashes.
- C. Water airports use alternating white and yellow flashes.
- D. Civilian land airports use a single alternating white and green flash, not a double white flash.
Rotating Beacon Color Codes
Airport rotating beacons use specific flash color combinations to identify the type of airport at night.
- Civilian land airport: white and green
- Military airport: dual white flash and green
- Water airport: white and yellow
- Heliport: white, green, yellow
Memory trick: 'Double flash, salute the Army' — two whites mean military