Originally Posted by
aviator's_anonymous
Would a Pan Pan call be suited for this situation? or is Mayday required?
While it would seem that a ‘Pan Pan’ meets the definition (serious, but not at this stage life-threatening) ICAO don’t give that option for fuel prediction below minimum reserve. A ‘Mayday Fuel’ it is, regardless of traffic, weather and an individual Captain’s assessment of the risk. Perth may be remote (though in my opinion an easy airport if you can tolerate a bit of turbulence in summer easterlies and take the occasional fog forecasts seriously), has multiple runways, precision approaches and (worst case) Pearce is only a few miles up the road .But this unfortunate crew really had no option other than a mayday - and exactly what the rules required.
Yet a pan call for other situations e.g. engine failure, degraded performance, flight control issues, weather diversions etc. will get ATC assistance where available.