Looking for some input from some ATCO’s.
From another thread in Tech log, an ATCO has chimed in with this below.
Mayday Call Query
Originally Posted by
Ian W
As someone who has been at the other end of such calls - after or during the normal aviate navigate ... select 7700 and that will get _everyone's_ attention ATC sectors will start making sure that their aircraft are not in your way and will also stop pestering the sector controlling you to lower workload. Then do not hesitate to make your emergency call as a MAYDAY - as people have said you can downgrade it later; do avoid the mealy mouthed "we are declaring an emergency" as that is effectively meaningless. 7700 and MAYDAY and you will get everyone's assistance. If the adrenaline level subsequently drops and things are controllable you can always downgrade. But there have been many occasions when relatively small things have escalated - so wake everyone up - no-one in ATC will complain.
Any Aussie ATCO’s care to comment on the use of 7700 vs MAYDAY/PAN to get attention?
Cheers