BMIbus emergency at BHD
 

bmi bus had some problems on the way into BHD last night. lots of fire engines racing across Belfast to meet it but nothing on the news. Anyone got the gen?

Was mentioned on the local NI news but no more details than you have stated.

From the Beeb:

"Emergency crews at Belfast City Airport were put on standby on Thursday evening when the pilot of a British Midland flight reported engine problems. The flight, from London, landed safely."

Was in the air that night. I believe the pilot just announced that he had abnormal engine indications and would like a priority landing. The one night we were all coming home early due lack of head winds and BMI sorted that one out. Held for 20 mins. What happened to the old saying PanPan?

CaptAirProx

In my experience saying panpan would not have prevented any delays. <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> :) :)

No but Capt AP (name thief) is correct.. .Airline pilots are reluctant to used the key phrases to get assistance. Out side the UK Pan or Pan Pan is not widely used and can cause confusion with the controller, be here in the UK it should be used.

The Midland bus driver did declare a Pan hence the delays for some of the other aircraft. The Man flt was far enough ahead to land and be out of the way unfortunately putting another one in front of the bus would have given him extra track miles - incidentally excellent help and co-ordination from Muckamore made life a lot less hassle than there could have been <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Airprox. .. .Pan is an internationally recognised call for urgency.

In theory, but it's not widely recognised in the USA and I suspect a whole of host of other countries as well.

Tried it once in France a few years back, they hadn't a clue what I was on about........ .. .Probably thought I was asking for three loaves of bread <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

... and English is the international standard language for ATC as well ....

Woof, wasn't suggesting that the pan would have resolved the delays. Just seems odd that British pilots are still reluctant to use PapPan. From my experience it lets everyone know on a busy frequency to shut up and let me sort the problem out with the controller. Rather than everyone carrying on as normal because the pilot is playing it down. . .Aldergrove did a great job till they tried to descended us into the Mourns below MSA. Otherwise it was a fun ride round Co.Down.

22 in Use, correct me but I seem to remember it was the controller who had to pull this declaration out of the bus driver after he had reported the abnormal indications.

There is no requirement to cease transmissions when a PAN is on the air,only when DISTRESS traffic is on freq.. .Obviously a bit of common sense wouldn't go amiss, but it's up to the PIC to judge the level of assistance req'd.

Hand Solo. .. .There should be no reason for either US controllers or pilots (unless they have received poor training) to be unfamiliar with Pan calls. It is clearly defined, and its use explained, in the US Airmans Information Manual.. .. .Do you have an experience that indicates otherwise?. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 23:12: Message edited by: CAVU ]</small>

Moleslayer, I'm sure you are correct but I was'nt trying to be pedantic. I am trying to highlight the fact that on hearing PanPan, most pilots tend to shut up as they are immediately aware of a problem developing. Just chatting away to the controller about the odd little problem tends to get lost in the audiences background chitter chatter. I have found PanPan gets everyones ears up and the odd octave on the controllers voice! Clear, concise and to the point. Isn't that what R/T is meant to be about?

Wouldn't a Pan call involve lengthy paperwork excercises??

Capt Airprox - from earlier, all I know is that the aircraft was handed over already having declared a Pan. I also agree that pilots should not be wary or afraid to declare a Pan if things are not as they should be, from my point of view as a controller, it is a lot easier to get things organised on the ground when the aircraft is a distance away rather than wait until they are turning onto a six mile final and then say - "By the way, did I forget to mention ....." <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

I am in wholehearted agreement with all comments suggesting a timely notification to 'British' ATC of an on-board problem.You can always downgrade.. .However IWLTK if anybody has had a similar experience to my Paris TMA debacle(previous post).. .It may be true that PAN is international,but is it taught to be used in the same way as the UK?. .. .Any French pilot or preferably controller care to comment?. . . . <small>[ 06 March 2002, 17:39: Message edited by: moleslayer ]</small>

Funny thing: pan (panne) originates from french, meaning something like breakdown (ie your car). Problem with the French is, they don't understand french when spoken by a foreigner (when it is not 100% perfect without any accent).