Expert: D. Norkus - 4/20/2009

Question
have been reading @plane crashes, so maybe inemergencies the pilots use phrases unique to that situation. ever heard of a pilot declaring Pan Pan Pan?r is that another weird one? thanx for trying. kathleen

Answer
Kathleen

The reason the phrase is little heard, it because of what it implies:

Pan pan pan "is used to signify that there is an urgency (not an EMERGENCY) on board [and] for the time being at least, there is no immediate danger to anyone's life or to the [aircraft] itself. This is referred to as a state of urgency. This is distinct from a Mayday call, which means that there is imminent danger to life or to the continued viability of the [aircraft] itself. Thus 'pan-pan' will inform potential rescuers (including emergency services and other craft in the area) that a safety problem exists whereas 'mayday' will call upon them to drop all other activities and immediately instigate a rescue attempt. -Wikipedia definition

More often when a pilot declares an emergency or calls "Mayday", there is a definite threat/danger to persons or the aircraft and an emergency services or crash/fire rescue response is likely to be needed. It has been preached to pilots for years that when it doubt it is always safer to declare an emergency to ATC than not. If all turns out fine, then might only going to have to fill out paperwork but if it become more than that you will be relived to have services there.

Dottie