I was having a chat the other day with another pilot and we were discussing Pan-Pan/Mayday calls. As usual, the comment was made that some countries don't recognise Pan-Pan calls so it would seem prudent to go straight to Mayday in those cases, if the situation warranted it.
However, my question: which specifically are the countries that do not recognise Pan-Pan calls? I made an attempt at reading the French/Italian/Spanish AIPs but did not find the answer. It might be handy to know in advance rather than just a vague idea that it's southern Europe.
See Link for past answers... but nothing definitive.
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A distress call (situation where the aircraft requires immediate assistance) is prefixed: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. An urgency message (situation not requiring immediate assistance) is prefixed: PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN.
are the (ICAO?) definitions I work to. NB the "nature of the emergency" is not the issue - but the assistance you require.
More informally, if things are under control, I can adhere to ATC expectations, then a Pan is a heads up to leave me alone and let me sort things out, and I'll let you know when I can what I want from you (ATC). If I cannot comply with ATC expectations/clearance e.g. Emergency Descent, or do need immediate assistance then a Mayday it is.
In our company a engine failure on a twin is typically a Pan, an unextinquished fire a Mayday. Fire goes out becomes Pan. Not getting assistance you require from Pan, upgrade
Despite some replies you will get, I would suggest it is not clear cut, and is as the situation appears to you, and evolves, on the day - but do NB the definitions above.
Nigel, unfortunately your reply does not answer the OP's questions. It's quite an achievement that you managed to thread drift on post #2
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However, my question: which specifically are the countries that do not recognise Pan-Pan calls? I made an attempt at reading the French/Italian/Spanish AIPs but did not find the answer. It might be handy to know in advance rather than just a vague idea that it's southern Europe.
As far as I know, your information is incorrect. I cannot give you specific examples of countries that do not recognise a PAN call, because I know of none.
However, since your question appears to be related to a specific part of the world, I have gone and checked, so far, the Spanish and French regulations.
In Spain, the use of MAYDAY, PAN PAN, and PAN PAN MEDICAL, are regulated by the Real Decreto 57/2002, de 18 de enero, art. 2.3.4 (Señales), which refers to Annex C, attachment 1 (Señales de socorro y de urgencia). The specific passage reads
1.2.2. Las señales siguientes, usadas conjuntamente o por separado, significan que una aeronave tiene que transmitir un mensaje urgentísimo relativo a la seguridad de un barco, aeronave u otro vehículo, o de alguna persona que esté a bordo o a la vista: 1) una señal hecha por radiotelegrafía o por cualquier otro método de señales consistente en el grupo XXX; 2) una señal transmitida por radiotelefonía consistente en la enunciación de las palabras PAN, PAN.
In France, this is regulated by the Code de l'aviation civile, Article Annexe I : Appendice 1 (Signaux), . To wit:
1.2 Signaux d'urgence
1.2.1 Les signaux suivants, utilisés ensemble ou séparément, signifient qu'un aéronef désire signaler des difficultés qui le contraignent à atterrir, sans nécessiter de secours immédiat :
a) allumage et extinction répétés des phares d'atterrissage ;
b) allumage et extinction répétés des feux de position effectués de manière à ce que le signal se distingue de celui des feux de position à éclats.
1.2.2 Les signaux suivants, utilisés ensemble ou séparément, signifient qu'un aéronef a un message très urgent à transmettre concernant la sécurité d'un aéronef, navire ou autre véhicule, ou la sécurité de toute personne à bord ou en vue:
a) signal transmis en radiotélégraphie ou par toute autre méthode et constitué par le groupe XXX ;
b) signal radiotéléphonique d'urgence, constitué par les mots PANNE, PANNE ; c) message d'urgence envoyé par liaison de données qui exprime la même idée que les mots PANNE, PANNE.
If I have time latter I'll have a look at the Italian regulations, but in general, unless a contracting state has filed a difference with ICAO respect to Annex II, the standard urgency signals will be recognised. The filing of such a difference will be documented in the relevant country's AIP, section GEN 1.7.
I was always told that outside the fine, alert land (that will not be holding the World Cup) you are advised to start with a Mayday and when they have put down their Sangria/Gauloise/Cappuccino/Burger etc etc downgrade to PAN if appropriate.
hi & sorry for slight detour. a q that has haunted me -- if one of the pilot undergoes incapacitation, what call is to be made. my co. says may day but as per the definition i feel pan is more appropriate
If my colleague was incapacitated I would call a Mayday.
My reasoning for it being a Mayday is that I require immediate assistance and would like a controller to help me get on the ground quick smart. I want to be on the ground quickly so that:
a) my colleague can get immediate medical assistance and, b) I don't want to be in the air any longer than necessary as if we were to have another problem it will be a lot more difficult to manage single crew.
I was taught that at FlightSafety, they briefed us to call it as a Mayday, and I certainly had no problem with that.
pilot incapacitation
