Originally Posted by
Cusco
If ATC want practice PANs for training purposes it makes absolutely no sense (nor is there a requirement) to call them up beforehand and arrange it:
Much more sensible for the pilot to listen out on 121.5 for a short while to make sure there isn't a real emergency kicking off, then hit them with your 'practice PAN ' call.
London centre monitor 121.5 across all of the UK, from the islands off the north of Scotland to Lands End. They could easily be dealing with an emergency which they can hear but you can't. They may well be transmitting using only specific transmitters.
doc with the phraseology request (although it is a bit dated):
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_gad_D&D_poster.pdf