Having scanned my way through 7 pages of this thread I am rather bemused at how some people are getting SSSOOOOO uptight about this issue.
In the UK a 'practice pan' is a totally acceptable part of aviation. The resultant RT exchange is therefore totally acceptable.
What is not acceptable in any country is the non-stop 'wittering' on 121.5. If you want to chat - use 123.45. As a professional pilot I try to maintain a listening watch on 121.5 on the spare box (just in case), but am forever hearing chatter and complaints.
For those of us who call ourselves professional pilots all it needs on this matter is for us to behave like professional pilots.
