So if I broadcast a taxi call on area frequency, I clog up important comms between ATC and airliners.
But if I broadcast a MAYDAY on area frequency, nobody will hear me.
More perfect sense.
Some important facts, folks.
ATC doesn't monitor 121.5.
The Rescue Coordination Centre doesn't monitor 121.5.
Lots of pilots don't monitor 121.5.
Many of the aircraft that will hear you on 121.5 may be monitoring the area frequency as well. And all they are going to do is .... call Centre.
The advantage of transmitting on the area frequency is that you might not only get the attention of aircraft monitoring area, but Centre might hear you as well. The sooner Centre gets the message, the sooner help is on its way.
If you want to make a noise on 121.5, switch on your ELT/PLB. (You should do that anyway.) Aircraft monitoring 121.5 will report the beacon sound to Centre. Centre will report it to RCC. If you're smart and your ELT/PLB is GPS equipped and registered with AMSA, the Rescue Coordination Centre will find out where you are and who you are quite quickly, from the 406 satellites and the beacon register.
Last edited by Creampuff; 1st Nov 2014 at 07:05.