"Mayday" callsign prefix during emergency?

[TOGA]

Did you guys see the video that went around here not long ago of a 757 ingesting a bird & doing an immediate return? I noticed that the non-flying pilot started their callsign with "Mayday" on every transmission once they'd declared an emergency. I've had to declare an emergency a couple of times, and I haven't done this. Am I missing something, or was that guy just going the extra mile? I am NOT 'armchair-quarterbacking' the pilot in question. In fact, it seemed to me they did a phenomenal job during what must have been a pretty exciting time. Just curious.

 

[ferlo]

Did you guys see the video that went around here not long ago of a 757 ingesting a bird & doing an immediate return? I noticed that the non-flying pilot started their callsign with "Mayday" on every transmission once they'd declared an emergency. I've had to declare an emergency a couple of times, and I haven't done this. Am I missing something, or was that guy just going the extra mile? I am NOT 'armchair-quarterbacking' the pilot in question. In fact, it seemed to me they did a phenomenal job during what must have been a pretty exciting time. Just curious.

I believe they were British...the answer to your question lies in that fact.

 

[highsky]

In the Air Force, I was trained to suffix "emergency" after the callsign on every subsequent call.

"REACH2853EMERGENCY"

 

[TheBaron]

What...doesn't anybody read the AIM anymore?

 

[TheBaron]

OK.
I'll post it here for those to lazy to look it up.

[SIZE=+1]Section 3. Distress and Urgency Procedures[/SIZE]​

​

6-3-1. Distress and Urgency Communications

c. The initial communication, and if considered necessary, any subsequent transmissions by an aircraft in distress should begin with the signal MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. The signal PAN-PAN should be used in the same manner for an urgency condition.

 

[stupidpilot]

If considered necessary is the key phrase. If he was talking to the same controller the whole time, I'm sure the controller would remember who he was. So the subsequent mayday announcement I think would be unnecessary.

 

[CHQ Pilot]

If he was talking to the same controller the whole time, I'm sure the controller would remember who he was. So the subsequent mayday announcement I think would be unnecessary.

By putting "Emergency" or "Mayday" with your callsign on transmissions, it increases the overall situational awareness for everyone. You may be on the same frequency, but another controller (ie a suprivisor) may have taken over. Other aircraft coming up on the frequency may not know there is an emergency in progress as well. It also helps CFR which is monitoring the radios to get a better idea of which aircraft is having the problem. It may not be required after every transmission, but it does keep everyone apprised of the situation.

 

[Wiggums]

What does the AIM have to do with a British aircraft operating in Britain? Our phraseology from the AIM is unique to the US, the rest of the world uses the ICAO standard.

The reason to prefix with Mayday is to alert other stations new to the frequency that there is an emergency in progress. It also explains to others why an aircraft is getting priority.

 

[AV80R]

Did you guys see the video that went around here not long ago of a 757 ingesting a bird & doing an immediate return? I noticed that the non-flying pilot started their callsign with "Mayday" on every transmission once they'd declared an emergency. I've had to declare an emergency a couple of times, and I haven't done this. Am I missing something, or was that guy just going the extra mile? I am NOT 'armchair-quarterbacking' the pilot in question. In fact, it seemed to me they did a phenomenal job during what must have been a pretty exciting time. Just curious.

Overseas, unless they hear you say Mayday... you may or you may not be given priority handling. I think it's more important in Asia though than in Europe...

Additionally, in many countries they use a local language for local pilots (France, etc. - obviously not UK). Mayday is known by all pilots and will make them vacate the frequency (aka, shut up) for the emergency aircraft...

 

[AvroJockey]

Did you guys see the video that went around here not long ago of a 757 ingesting a bird & doing an immediate return? I noticed that the non-flying pilot started their callsign with "Mayday" on every transmission once they'd declared an emergency. I've had to declare an emergency a couple of times, and I haven't done this. Am I missing something, or was that guy just going the extra mile? I am NOT 'armchair-quarterbacking' the pilot in question. In fact, it seemed to me they did a phenomenal job during what must have been a pretty exciting time. Just curious.

This is the ICAO standard...you always prefix an emergency call with "Mayday" three times, and you'll always here this when flying abroad (or PanPan). Once the emergency is declared your call changes from "Speedbird 1234" to "Speedbird 1234, Mayday", and the controller your using will become yours, and yours only. As others have indicated continued se of Mayday keeps new flights to the frequency in the loop. It's a very good system, once you start using it properly.

It's legally mandatory to use the word 'Mayday' if you want to indemnify yourself from wrongdoing, in dealing with the emergency. A little aviation history lesson for you all! This stems from the first aviation accident in France when a balloon crashed into a field. People trampled crops while coming to the aid of the pilot. The farmer then tried to sue the pilot for the cost of the crops. The suit was dismissed and the pilot indemnified because he called for 'Help', thus setting the legal precedence for the current system. In fact, Help in French is 'aide'; when screamed real loud in rapid succession from a ballon basket sounds like Mayday!

See...now you can tell your wife that you actually learn something by spending countless hours on FI!!!

 

[captcaveman]

Actually, it comes from "m'aidez!" in French = Help me!

 

[AvroJockey]

Actually, it comes from "m'aidez!" in French = Help me!

Noted.

Funny, I fly in and out of CDG or French airspace on every trip, and I still don't know any of French.

 

[TheBaron]

What does the AIM have to do with a British aircraft operating in Britain? Our phraseology from the AIM is unique to the US, the rest of the world uses the ICAO standard.

The AIM, ICAO , FAR's, JAR, PanOps are all more alike than they are different. Mostly minor differences from country to country but amazingly identical in most areas. You think the people that drafted the AIM just pulled "mayday" out of their a$$?

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

See...now you can tell your wife that you actually learn something by spending countless hours on FI!!!

Or not

 

[LarryinTN]

What...doesn't anybody read the AIM anymore?

No, I don't think that they do.

 

[TOGA]

Nope, I sure didn't. I kinda figured it was in there, though. Thanks for the copy/paste, Baron. Now I know.

 

[JimNtexas]

If you fly in any other country it is important to know that the words 'declaring an emergency' mean nothing.

 

[AV80R]

If you fly in any other country it is important to know that the words 'declaring an emergency' mean nothing.

I disagree, I think it has more to do with the fact the controllers and pilots in those countries probably do not speak English as a native tongue. Therefore using certain terms makes communications easier and more predictable...Call it an international form of CYA if you want...

 

[JimNtexas]

I disagree, I think it has more to do with the fact the controllers and pilots in those countries probably do not speak English as a native tongue. Therefore using certain terms makes communications easier and more predictable...Call it an international form of CYA if you want...

You logic is correct, what is your disagreement?

The FACT is that in the rest of the world the ATC controllers have no definition of the meaning of the words 'declare an emergency'. If you use those words (or worse yet 'I need priority') then there is no telling how the controllers will react, if they react at all.

Using standard ICAO defined terms is important even in the US. Overseas it is critical to avoid disaster.

One more word: Tenerife

 

[AV80R]

You logic is correct, what is your disagreement?

The FACT is that in the rest of the world the ATC controllers have no definition of the meaning of the words 'declare an emergency'. If you use those words (or worse yet 'I need priority') then there is no telling how the controllers will react, if they react at all.

Using standard ICAO defined terms is important even in the US. Overseas it is critical to avoid disaster.

One more word: Tenerife

You're right - disagreement was probably a wrong word to be used here. I should have said - saying "center we have an emergency here" might be akin to an American tourist in France speaking in English extra loud to make sure he/she is understood. If you have an emergency and want to make sure everyone else knows that too - use the ICAO phraseology.