This is interesting, I remember watching "Carrier" and noticing that the 'shooters' at the catapult controls followed the same process of pointing at their board (and even out the window at the plane) as they went through their launch checklist.
All aircraft handlers use hand signals, such as the crew who direct the plane on deck after landing, the crew that directs the jets onto the catapult, the catapult deck crew, and the pilots.