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Ground control games

Examine the role of ground control and air marshals, and learn about how the sky isn’t always the limit with aircraft.

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You’ll need

  • String
  • Paddles, torches or glowsticks (optional)
  • Hi vis jackets (optional)

Before you begin

  • This activity contains a number of games to help everyone practise their air marshalling signs. The activity is best run in the order set out below.
  • Speak to anyone with knowledge of aircraft marshalling duties working towards their Air Activities Staged Activity Badge before the session. See if they’d be happy to help run some of the games in this session. This could be one person or several.
  • Leaders and helpers should familiarise themselves with the role of air marshallers using the information on this page and by researching International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) signals, if they wish to lead the games in this activity.
  • Aircraft marshallers are people responsible for guiding aircraft through small gaps or into parking spaces on an airfield, known as ‘stands’.
  • Marshalling is a set of arm movements that allow workers on the ground to communicate with a pilot without having to talk to them, although a radio can also be used for detailed instructions.
  • Standard signals are used by marshallers on airfields all over the world. These are set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

 

Run the activity

Mirroring

  1. Start by running a mirroring game. Everyone should stand together.
  2. The person who knowns marshalling signals should lead this activity, otherwise try to print out a resource for reference.
  3. The person leading the game will demonstrate some of the signals marshallers use to guide aircraft on the ground, everyone else will copy them. 
  4. If you’ve got lots of people who know this already, just do a quick recap. If lots of your group are new to marshalling signals, spend 10 minutes or more demonstrating and practising. You could also do this in small groups or pairs, if you have enough experts.

Alphabet

  1. Once everyone’s familiar with all the basic signals, run an alphabet game.
  2. Select Two Volunteers to act as Air Marshals. Give them numbers: Marshal One and Marshal Two
  3. Everyone else are Aircraft, they should line up on one side of the activity area.
  4. Marshall one should stand at the top of the room and marshal two opposite the aircraft. 
  5. The person leading the activity quietly tells Marshal One a letter, number, or simple shape such as "A", "5" or "heart".
  6. Marshal One uses air marshalling signals only (no speaking) to direct the Aircraft into position to form the chosen letter, number, or shape.
    • For this activity they can move a group of aircraft at a time, a single aircraft or a whole group by gesturing before giving marshalling signals.  
  7. The group must stay silent and respond only to the marshalling signals.
  8. The shape should be clear when viewed from above (as in a bird’s-eye view).
  9. Once satisfied with the shape, Marshal One gives the ‘All Clear’ signal.
  10. Marshal Two should try to guess the letter, number or shape. They might need to stand on a step to do this. A helper should remain close at hand if this is the case.
  11. Once guessed, swap roles and repeat as many times as you'd like with different participants taking turns as Marshals.

You could make the game more complex if there’s time remaining. Your aircraft could trail some string behind them as they’re following the marshaller’s directions. They could spell out a whole word, a simple sentence or even draw a picture.

Reflection

Ground control signals are set by an international organisation. Why do you think this is, and why might that make them useful for pilots landing in countries where they don’t speak the language? Can you think of any other ways we communicate using signals?

Clear signals were important to get the fleet in order. If you were new to aircraft marshalling signals, how many were you able to remember from the demonstration at the beginning? Did it help remind you when everyone else in the fleet moved into position? As with most new things, signals are easier learned as part of a team.

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

The games can be adapted to change the difficulty. Consider introducing a time limit or limiting words that are used. Marshalling signals could always be accompanied by ‘radio’ commands out loud to make things easier.

Anyone with limited mobility may need to use an alternative signal for a certain action, so make sure everyone is aware of what the alternative signal will look like.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Air Activities Stage 3

The group might benefit from and enjoy a visit to a local airfield, flying show or even a flying club, so they can see some of the moves in action. Leaders should take a look at ‘Access to Airfields’ guidance available here.

For more information about air activities and how you can take part, check out the Scouts activities

Many of those who took part in this activity had the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, guide their peers and teach them something new.