Understanding Radio Calls in Emergency Situations

1. Radio 3 4.03 Radio Calls References: - FTGU pg.219-223 - RIC-21 Issue 2, January 2008: Study Guide for the Restricted Operation Certificate with Aeronautical Qualification 40 Minutes Instructor:Mr. Armstrong

2. 4.03 Radio – Radio Calls • Distress call • Urgency call • Safety call

3. 4.03 Radio – Radio Calls • Calls classified by degree of danger • With your neighbour discuss the difference between distress and urgencycalls • Describe a Distress situation… • Describe an Urgent situation…

4. 4.03 Radio – Radio Calls • Calls classified by degree of danger • Distress– A condition of being threatened by grave and/or imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance • Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. • Urgency– A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of someone on board or within sight, but which does NOT require immediate assistance. Pan, Pan, Pan.

5. 4.03 Radio – Radio Calls Frequencies to be used: • Air to ground frequency in use at the time • If unable to establish communication on frequency in use: • Repeat message on 121.5 MHz • Or any other frequency available

6. 4.03 Radio – Distress call Inverted airliner - “movie Flight” • Distress Call: • Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. • Can be transmitted by aircraft in distress or any station aware that an aircraft ship or vehicle is in distress • Has absolute priority Smoke in cockpit

7. 4.03 Radio – Distress call • Distress: • Repetition of distress message • Action of station in distress • Actions by other stations • Imposition of Silence • Cancelation of distress “This is your Captain speaking… Does anyone have a roll of Duct tape?”

8. 4.03 Radio – Distress call Format/Order of Distress Message: • Distress signal • Call sign x3 • Location • Altitude • Nature of distress and kind of assistance required • Intentions of PIC • Souls on board

9. 4.03 Radio – Distress call Example • Mayday, Mayday, Mayday • This is Cessna 172 C-GGBN, C-GGBN, C-GGBN • 5 miles South of Cree Lake • At 4000’ • Engine failure • I am going to attempt to land in an open area • 2 people on board

10. 4.03 Radio – Distress call YOUR TURN! • Format of Distress Message: • Distress signal • Call sign x3 • Location • Altitude • Nature of distress and kind of assistance required • Intentions of PIC • Souls on board

11. 4.03 Radio – Urgency call • Urgency Call: • Pan, Pan, Pan. • Addressed to all stations • Acknowledged by whoever receives it, they in turn relay it to an air traffic service unit, airport operating agency, or its representative

12. 4.03 Radio – Distress call • Format of Urgency Message: • Distress signal • Call sign x1 • Location • Altitude • Nature of situation/ if assistance is needed • Intentions of PIC

13. 4.03 Radio – Distress call Example: Pan, Pan, Pan This is Cessna 172 C-GTLY 15 miles east of Yorkton 3000’ High oil pressure Will be landing ASAP at the Yorkton airport.

14. 4.03 Radio – Distress call YOUR TURN! • Format of Urgency Message: • Distress signal • Call sign x1 • Location • Altitude • Nature of situation/ if assistance is needed • Intentions of PIC

15. When there is an imminent threat to airmen: 4.03 Radio – Safety Call • Word used is SECURITY repeated 3x • Normally used when a station is going to report • Important meteorological warnings • Message concerning the safety of navigation • Has priority over all communication, except • Distress and urgency(Although I have never heard this, it is in the books.)

16. 4.03 Radio – Confirmation • What is the word used for a Distress Call? • Mayday Mayday Mayday • Calls are classified by... • Degree of danger • What is the word used for a Urgency call? • Pan Pan Pan • What is the word used for a safety call? • Security, Security, Security