When using smoke to mark for an aircraft, what information should the aircraft provide the controller?

• A. Color
• B. Altitude
• C. Speed
• D. Heading

Answer: (A)

When smoke is used to mark a location for an aircraft, the essential information the aircraft must provide the controller is the color of the smoke. The color acts as the identifier for the marker, allowing the controller to match the visual mark on the ground with the designated target or reference point in the air picture. In a single operation there may be multiple markers, so knowing the color ensures the aircrew and controller are talking about the same position and can coordinate fires or deliveries accurately. Other details like altitude, speed, or heading may be useful for safety or deconfliction, but they do not uniquely identify the marker itself.