PPL Skills test -> P.F.L. Radio Call
 

Hi all,
Just a quick question to keep my skills sharp while I'm still on the ground!

When one is on their skills test / reval. and the Practice Forced Landing scenario takes place, upon radio transmission do you prefix the MAYDAY call with 'practice' i.e. 'Practice Mayday?'
Or, is the radio call not transmitted at all and just spoken to the examiner upon the appropriate time (aviate, navigate, communicate?)

Thanks in advance!

You will NEVER transmit a mayday call on the radio unless you're actually having a serious emergency problem. So you will only tell your examiner the mayday call.. Don't worry and good luck :ok:

That puts my mind at ease! Has been on my mind for sometime. Thanks Marchisio!

I heard somebody key the mike a few years ago.

Local ATC very efficiently went into emergency assistance mode.

There was a brief silence, followed by a different voice:-


"**** radar, G-XXXX cancel emergency, my student was not supposed to press the button".


No, don't touch the PTT !

in my case it was instructor calling INFO we are practicing landing from downwind of left 05 etc..

American flying in the UK trying a Practice Pan
 

"Mayday, Mayday, Practice Mayday, this is November........."

I simply said to my examiner: "at this point would I do a mayday call if it were a real emergency". That was good enough for him.

Examiners are very understanding and realistic people, and will want to clarify all these problems before you get off the ground, so don't be afraid to ask before you get going.

In this case though, as above, Mayday is only if it's real, and a practice PAN is usually only by prior arrangement, or at least starting with "request a practice PAN" so they can tell you to bugger off if they're busy. Having spoken to the controllers at 121.5 in person, they like the practice as much as we do though, so don't be afraid to ask. :ok:

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.

And then sit back and listen out as the guard police (usually yanks) moan and whinge from the comfort of their CAT at FL360.

Cusco.

121.5 is handled by RAF staff and based in a small room in Swanick air traffic control centre and welcome practice pan calls anytime. Don't be afraid to use them to practice with as you never know when you may need to call a real emergency!

One minor thing to add. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.

In a PFL or for-real FL, maintain control of the aircraft, trim for approximately the best glide. Then look for a field and set up your approach to the field. And only if the field and the approach looks good and you have spare mental capacity, make a mayday call.

At this stage there's nothing ATC can do for you, other than alerting the rescue authorities. Which you hopefully don't need all that much if you did the Aviate and Navigate part right. But if you screw up the Aviate and Navigate bits, because you were too busy communicating, then the fast arrival of the rescue services on the scene are probably not going to make a difference.

Many, many moons ago ...


"Practice MAYDAY, Practice MAYDAY, Practice MAYDAY. London Centre this is Yeovil Flag Zero One*"


He was dealt with appropriately! and handed over to Yeovilton ATC who were informed of the initial transmission!


Yeovilton ATC rang D&D back to say that 'Yeovil Flag 01' had landed safely ... and would be buying the beer in the Wardroom that night !!!


Unfortunately D&D didn't get to taste the ale :-(




* A VSO in the Fleet Air Arm,

And another thing heard twice this week PRACTICE FANSTOP!

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

Mind you - in checking CAP413 it no longer asks for you to request it first - just go straight into "PRACTICE PAN, PRACTICE PAN".
I'm sure they will soon tell you to shut up if required (Chapter 11 Page 33 or p241 in PDF)

I know. Makes you cringe doesnt it. :(


MJ:ok:

My point exactly.:ok: