Phrase 1 of 29Emergency and abnormal
MAYDAY versus PAN PAN
MAYDAY is the distress signal: you are threatened by serious or imminent danger and need help at once. PAN PAN is the urgency signal: the safety of the aircraft, someone on board or someone in sight is at risk, but you do not need help at once.
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY (or PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN), station, callsign, aircraft type, nature of the problem, intentions, position, level, heading, persons on board number, endurance time
callsign, station, ROGER MAYDAY (or ROGER PAN PAN), instructions
- You
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN, Delhi Control, IFLY 160, Airbus A320, number one generator failed, diverting to Jaipur, four zero miles northeast of Jaipur, flight level three two zero, heading two two zero, persons on board one five zero, endurance three hours
- ATC
IFLY 160, Delhi Control, roger PAN PAN, cleared direct Jaipur, descend flight level one five zero
- You
Cleared direct Jaipur, descend flight level one five zero, IFLY 160
- ✓Say the signal three times at the start of the first call: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, or PAN PAN said three times (Annex 10 Vol II 5.3.1.2, 5.3.2.1.1, 5.3.3.1.1).
- ✓Then, as far as you can and in this order: the station, your callsign, what is wrong, what you intend to do, and your position, level and heading. Persons on board and endurance follow as useful extra information.
- ✓Distress has absolute priority over every other call. Urgency comes next, ahead of everything except distress (Annex 10 Vol II 5.3.2.4.1, 5.3.3.3.1).
- ✓If a PAN PAN gets worse, call MAYDAY at once. If the danger passes, cancel it.
Now say it out loud, with the examiner playing ATC.
Practise in the simulator