Originally Posted by
Pugilistic Animus
Forget the AIM for a second... it has been proven time and again that "I'm declaring an emergency" works for US airspace.... seems to work even better than MAYDAY...also the AIM is advisory
That is besides the point - MAYDAY might
not work in US airspace if Americans keep pretending that they fly alone, which is another threat. If a professional follows correct procedure as taught widely around the world (including in the US - it was pointed out that the FAA correct R/T is Mayday/Pan-Pan), the colloquial attitude that the US ATC are used to using/hearing will hinder and delay the necessary response as they fail to understand what the word Mayday means.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=53vhyEXXtyg
Here's a clear example of that - Helicopter calls "Mayday Mayday Mayday" and the ATC response is "Do you require any assistance". Even
after another aircraft relayed the callsign and nature of emergency (engine failure). Hearing the words 'Mayday Mayday Mayday' should prime
everyone on frequency (especially the controller) to listen clearly to the transmitted information so that pointless repetition of messages isn't required because the controller was focusing on another task or distracted by something.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnBWLGnrh5Q
Here's another example of US ATC failing to understand a textbook and professional emergency transmission, following up with unnecessary questions such as "are you declaring and emergency", and to add to the list while we're at it, failing to understand the meaning of "standby".