FAASTeam & North Florida Flight Standards District Office

1. FAASTeam &North Florida Flight Standards District Office FAA Safety Team Safety Presentation Seminar Title: Declaring an Emergency Participating Pilots Dennis H. Whitley, FAASTeam Lead Rep January 10, 2012

2. What is an Emergency: A distress or an urgency condition !!!

3. Declaring an Emergency: The roles and responsibilities of the pilot and controller for effective participation in the ATC system are contained in several documents. In order to maintain a safe and efficient air traffic system, it is necessary that each party fulfill their responsibilities to the fullest. Pilots- CFR 14 Controllers- 7110.65

4. Declaring an Emergency: The pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to the safe operation of that aircraft. In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot-in-command may deviate from any rule in the General Subpart A and Flight Rules Subpart B in accordance with 14 CFR Section 91.3.

5. Declaring an Emergency: The air traffic controller is responsible to give first priority to the separation of aircraft and to the issuance of radar safety alerts, second priority to other services that are required, but do not involve separation of aircraft and third priority to additional services to the extent possible.

6. Declaring an Emergency: Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules Sec. 91.3 (a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. (b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency. (c) Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.

7. Declaring an Emergency: Part 7110.65 Air Traffic Organization Policy Sec. 7110.65-10-1 (a). An emergency can be either a Distress or an Urgency condition as defined in the “Pilot/Controller Glossary.” (b). A pilot who encounters a Distress condition should declare an emergency by beginning the initial communication with the word “Mayday,” preferably repeated three times. For an Urgency condition, the word “Pan-Pan” should be used in the same manner. (c). If the words “Mayday” or “Pan-Pan” are not used and you are in doubt that a situation constitutes an emergency or potential emergency, handle it as though it were an emergency.

8. Declaring an Emergency: Methods or announcing an emergency (a). Radio Active Frequency - ATC (b). Radio 121.5 243.0 (c). Transponder 7700 Emergency 7600 Communications 7500 Hijack

9. Declaring an Emergency: Fuel Related Emergencies: Minimum fuel (from the AIM) “Indicates that an aircraft’s fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the destination, it can accept little or no delay. This is not an emergency situation but merely indicates an emergency situation is possible should any undue delay occur.” Emergency Fuel (industry accepted definition) “The point at which, in the judgment of the pilot-in-command, it is necessary to proceed directly to the airport of intended landing due to low fuel. Declaration of a fuel emergency is an explicit statement that priority handling by ATC is both required and expected.”