Fair comment, I may be putting my commercial pilot views on a PPL license holder. But the legalitys of me operating as PIC in a commercial situation are no different to that of me operating in a Private capacity in a SEP all the same rules of the air etc I am PIC the buck stops at me.
But i still think that by declaring a full emergency you are removing the rights of the PIC of the aircraft to decide the state of their aircraft and what service they require from ATC. There is only one person that can declare a mayday for an aircraft thats the PIC ( who can of course deligate this task), they are qualified to do it and only they can make that decision. It is in fact unlawful for any one else to issue a mayday on your behalf. From memory an ATCO can declare if they witness the crash or they can start alerting action if the aircraft is over due.
So the more times ATC remove the rights of the PIC to decide. The less information pilots are going to give in case they get the works when they don't want it. Its a double edged blade, yes you can declare a full emergency when your told about a problem and feel great I did them a favour. But in reality its another pilot who is going to battle on not declaring problems because they don't want the full works.
The airport I used to instruct at had it sussed. Tell them what was wrong. They asked if you needed any help. You got what you asked for or nothing if you didn't want anything. If the fire brigade were put on standby you didn't know about it. First solo the fire brigade were again put on standby but the students didn't know about it.
The point I am making is ask the commander what they want, tell the commander what you are doing, and don't take the command away from the commander ( you wouldn't do it to a commercial flight). Then maybe more PPL pilots will be more willing to fess up when they do have problems.
I have constantly tried to teach students to spill there guts the first sign of trouble. Practise using 121.5 if they get a reaction which they arn't expecting they think sod that for a game well i won't be telling them that.
MJ
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Something which is not so serious for a senior Flying instructor may be an absolute crisis for a low hours ppl. That isnt for the ATCO to judge.
Correct its for the PIC to judge.
What you SEE as an ATCO is your call especially if its to do with your bit of tarmac. I am sure when you know the local FI is on board you will just look away when you see the hairyest arsed approach you have ever seen. Your hand will be on the crash button if its a local PPL. Thats not the issue. Its over reaction to calls without consulting the pilot.