Originally Posted by
AmarokGTI
From Airservices themselves:
“These phrases alert ATC to the level of response required. If you just tell ATC that you are declaring an emergency, more information on the nature of emergency will be required to enable them to coordinate the appropriate response for you.”
Pretty clear.
Following on from this. At a controlled airport, Mayday is a full emergency with all services, police, fire and ambulance. Pan is a local standby with airport based services only. At some airports, this may only be the safety officer.