peekay4,
Yes that was never the question. But which one in your example made the correct transmission (question of original poster)?
Besides it may (in other more ambiguous situations), lead to confusion:
a. MAYDAYx3, fuel
b. PAN PANx3, fuel (Note: PAN calls for fuel are no longer allowed)
c. ehhh we are getting quite low on fuel
Another (real life example), which I overheard recently, west of Cairo during cruise:
1) Cairo cairo, Austrian XXX, PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN, we need to divert to Cairo due to a medical emergency
C) Station calling?
1) It's Austrian XXX
C) Ehh Austrian XXX?
1) Yes
C) Confirm you wish to divert to Cairo?
1) Affirm
C) Ehhh standby
C) Egyptair XXX descent and maintain FL190
2) Cairo goodmorning Reach XXX, overhead ANTAR FL 350
3) Transavia XXX, request descend
4) Descending FL190, Egyptair XXX
1) AUSTRIAN XXX, WE NEED TO DIVERT TO CAIRO NOW!
C) Standby!!
2) Cairo goodmorning Reach XXX, overhead ANTAR FL 350
?) XYYYSSSSSXXX
?) Blocked!
etc.
We got a frequency change before those guys got a diversion to Cairo!
I was cringing in embarrassment, there is a passenger possibly DYING, and these guys don't have MAYDAY in their vocabulary. How hard can it be:
"MAYDAY x3 Austrian XXX, medical emergency, request diversion to Cairo"
and second call, with no clearance obtained:
"MAYDAY x3 Austrian XXX, medical emergency, turning inbound Cairo VOR. Require diversion to Cairo. Standing by for descent..."
Last edited by cosmo kramer; 21st Dec 2014 at 15:19.