The UK CAA has recently written to (emailed) UK TREs seeking opinions as follows:In the event of an emergency descent, is it desirable or acceptable for ATC to prompt selection of 7700 on the transponder when acknowledging the MAYDAY call?
E.g. "Mayday Jetex 123, Mayday acknowledged time 1345. When able, squawk 7700. Out."
The opinion is needed for the Emergency Descent Working group, which is trying to establish an SRG position on the recommended actions following loss of cabin pressure.
It may well be that some of you have also been asked already - I'll be surprised if NATS isn't seeking the same, but I wonder what the broader view (range of opinion!) is.
As a supplementary question for discussion, should the descent prescribe (or preclude) a turn away from current track (or route centreline)?