I wasn't taught any of them in Florida either. I took it upon myself to learn them. To actually see them though, they'd have to be in just the right spot, and they'd have to be really, really contrasting with the terrain. Actually, around here, they do a TON of controlled burning, so even smoke doesn't always get a checkout from me. If I saw a ton of black smoke though, like from a tire or something, that'd warrant a checkout.

Long story short, don't rely on the symbols. Make big smoke. Black smoke. Flares are your friend, they'll get ANY pilots attention. (Unless it's Fourth of July) <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Happy Flying
Kyle