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Learning hub · Communications · Lesson 3

Mayday, Pan-Pan and lost communications

You will probably never need these calls, but if you do, you will have no time to look them up. This lesson sets out the structure of a distress or urgency message, the emergency transponder codes, and what to do if you cannot talk.

About 12 minutes, plus the quiz. Part of Communications. It builds on VFR radio phraseology.

1. Mayday or Pan-Pan?

SERA Appendix 1 defines two radio signals:

  • MAYDAY is the distress signal. It means grave and imminent danger threatens, and immediate assistance is requested. Examples: fire, engine failure with no safe landing site, or loss of control.
  • PAN PAN is the urgency signal. It means you have a very urgent message about the safety of the aircraft or of someone on board or in sight, but you do not need immediate help. Examples: a sick passenger, a rough engine while you can still reach an aerodrome, or being unsure of your position.

When in doubt, use the higher call. You can always downgrade it, but you cannot get back the time lost by hesitating. An aircraft in distress may use any means to attract attention, make its position known and get help.

2. The structure of the call

Make the call on the frequency you are using, since that station already knows you. The usual order, given in ICAO Annex 10 and taught with small variations, is:

  1. MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY (or PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN, said three times).
  2. The station called, and your call sign.
  3. The nature of the emergency, in a few words.
  4. Your intentions, such as landing in a field or returning to the aerodrome.
  5. Your position, level and heading.
  6. The number of people on board and any other useful information, such as fuel remaining.

Example (invented): “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, Example Information, Romeo Yankee Alfa Bravo Charlie (invented station and call sign), engine failure, landing in field, 5 miles north of the aerodrome, 2,000 feet, heading 180, two on board.” Speak slowly and clearly, and do not wait for a reply before you act. The first job is always to fly the aeroplane.

If no one answers on your frequency, change to the international emergency frequency, 121.500 MHz (known as guard), and repeat the call. SERA names 121.5 MHz as the emergency frequency. If ATC wants other traffic off the frequency, it may say “stop transmitting, MAYDAY”. Obey it.

The call is cancelled when the emergency is over. You tell the station that the distress is ended, and the controlling station can close it with “distress traffic ended”. If you made a call by mistake, correct it as soon as you can.

3. Emergency transponder codes

You may also set the transponder, as it tells every controller who can see you at a glance. These codes are the ICAO standard:

CodeMeaning
7700Emergency. SERA lists it as a distress signal.
7600Radio (communications) failure
7500Unlawful interference (hijack). SERA says to endeavour to set it.

Use the code when it helps and when you are told, and do not leave it on once you no longer need it. A transponder code does not replace a radio call, and it only helps if you are within reach of a radar or receiver.

4. Lost communications

If you hear nothing, first check the simple things: the volume and squelch, the frequency, the headset plugs and the radio switches, and the circuit breakers. Try another radio, or a handheld, if you have one. SERA.14083 also says to try the previous frequency, then another frequency suitable for the route, and then to contact other stations or aircraft by any available means. A faulty microphone can mean you hear others but they cannot hear you.

If the radio is dead, the ICAO principle for VFR is the following. Set 7600 if you have a transponder. If you are in visual conditions, continue in them, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome and report your arrival by the quickest means. Keep a good lookout, since others may not know your intentions. If you can transmit but not receive, you can transmit blind, saying “transmitting blind” and giving your position and intentions. At a controlled aerodrome you may be given light signals (see the previous lesson) and you acknowledge them by rocking your wings by day.

Do not enter controlled airspace or fly near busy traffic without a working radio unless you have the permission and procedure for it. National rules and the AIP set the details for lost communications, so read them before you need them.

This is training material, not an operating procedure. The wording, the procedures and your actions follow the AIP, your flight manual and your school’s manual. A real emergency means flying the aeroplane first, then navigating, then communicating.

5. Try it yourself

Work each one out on paper first, then open the answer to compare. The numbers are invented.

  1. Mayday or Pan-Pan? (a) A passenger has a bad nosebleed and is unwell, you are 10 minutes from the aerodrome. (b) Your engine has failed and you are looking for a field. (c) Fire in the cockpit.

    Show the answer
    1. (a) The aeroplane is not in danger but there is an urgent matter concerning someone on board: Pan-Pan.
    2. (b) Engine failure with a forced landing ahead is grave and imminent danger: Mayday.
    3. (c) Fire is grave and imminent danger: Mayday.

  2. Write out a Mayday call for an invented situation: call sign G-ABCD, a light aeroplane, oil pressure falling to zero, the engine is losing power, you intend to land in a field. You are 6 miles west of an aerodrome, at 1,500 feet, heading 090, with two people on board. Use the structure from the lesson.

    Show the answer
    1. Start with the signal three times: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.
    2. Add the station and call sign: Example Information, G-ABCD (the station is invented).
    3. Nature and intentions: engine losing power, landing in field.
    4. Position and the rest: 6 miles west of the aerodrome, 1,500 feet, heading 090, two on board.
    5. One possible answer: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, Example Information, G-ABCD, engine failing, landing in field, 6 miles west of the aerodrome, 1,500 feet, heading 090, two on board.”

  3. On a VFR flight in good weather, your radio is dead and you have a transponder. List the first four things you do.

    Show the answer
    1. Fly the aeroplane and keep a good lookout. Do not let the radio problem distract you.
    2. Check the radio quickly: volume, squelch, frequency, headset, switches and circuit breakers; try another radio.
    3. Set 7600 on the transponder.
    4. Stay in visual conditions and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, then report your arrival by the quickest means. If you can transmit, you may transmit blind.
    5. These are the ICAO principles; follow the AIP and your flight manual in practice.

6. Watch

An explanation of how to make a Mayday call. The structure varies a little between countries and schools, so use it for the idea and keep to your own course material.

Open on YouTube if the player does not load. Not made by VectorEFB; check what you learn against your flying school’s material and your instructor.

More to watch

A UK ground school video on radio failure and squawk 7600. Details follow UK practice, so check the Romanian AIP and your school for how it applies locally.

Open on YouTube if the player does not load. Not made by VectorEFB.

7. Check yourself

Five original practice questions. Answer them, press Check answers and read each explanation.

1. Which spoken word is the radio distress signal in SERA?

SERA Appendix 1 names the spoken word MAYDAY as the radiotelephony distress signal. PAN PAN is the urgency signal.

2. What is the international emergency frequency used for a call if you get no reply?

121.5 MHz is the emergency frequency named in SERA. It is also called guard.

3. Which transponder code is the ICAO standard for radio failure?

7600 is the ICAO code for radio failure. 7700 is emergency and 7500 is unlawful interference.

4. A passenger is unwell and you want to land soon, but there is no immediate danger to the aeroplane. Which call fits?

PAN PAN is for a very urgent message about the safety of a person on board when immediate assistance is not required.

5. In good VFR weather, your radio fails. What is the ICAO principle?

The principle is to continue in VMC, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome and report arrival by the quickest means.

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For training and situational awareness only. Not certified for navigation. Always use official charts, the AIP, NOTAMs and a proper weather briefing for real flights.