Thanks Mike. I knew things were different over there, but wasn't sure quite how different.
Maybe someone should start a thread with a title like "How to declare an emergency and what happens when you do". If we could get responses from ATCOs and pilots in a variety of countries, we might get a nice little reference guide out of it!
For what it is worth, on the subject of emergencies, in the UK:
1. To Declare an Emergency
"The correct way of communicating [an emergency] to ATC is by using the prefix MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY or PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN." (quote AIC pink 196)
If you require priority handling for a medical emergency you must use MAYDAY or PAN PAN prefix. (Source AIC pink 199)
There are 2 classes of emergency message
Distress: A condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and of requiring immediate assistance. USE MAYDAY
Urgency: A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight, but which does not require immediate assistance. USE PAN PAN
"Provision of assistance may be delayed if a pilot does not pass clear details of his difficulties and requirements, using the international standard RTF prefix ‘MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY’ or ‘PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN’" (quote CAP413 Chapter 8)
2. ATC Emergency Categories
Aircraft Accident/Aircraft Accident Imminent
When an aircraft accident has occurred or is inevitable on, or in the vicinity of the aerodrome. (At some units Aircraft Accident covers both situations).
Aircraft Ground Incident
When an aircraft on the ground is known to have an emergency situation other than an accident which requires the attendance of emergency services.
Full Emergency
When an aircraft is known or is suspected to be in such trouble that there is danger of an accident.
Local Standby
a) When an aircraft is known or suspected to have developed some defect, but one which would not normally involve any serious difficulty in effecting a safe landing;
b) When an aircraft is to be searched following a bomb warning;
c) When an aircraft requires inspection by the aerodrome fire service.
Local Standby (Weather) or Weather Standby
When weather conditions are such as to render a landing or take-off difficult or difficult to observe (e.g. strong crosswind, poor visibility, ice or snow on the runway etc.)
Local Standby (Royal Flights)
When a Royal Flight is landing or taking off.
(Source MATS pt1)
There you go then. I think that ties together nicely some aspects of this thread and the ones entitled "Full emergency call out for minor incident at LHR!", "When to call MAYDAY" and "Medical emergency = PAN?"
Hope this is useful to somebody.
G W-H