Title: MAYDAY: Why Do Pilots Say Mayday? – Pilot Teacher
Headings: MAYDAY: Why Do Pilots Say Mayday?
MAYDAY: Why Do Pilots Say Mayday?
Why Would A Pilot Say “Mayday”?
What Happens When A Pilots Declares Mayday?
In Remote Locations
In Populated Areas & Airspace
To Finish
Further Reading
Rick James
How Do Helicopters Move Around On The Ground?
Can Helicopters Fly In Zero Visibility?

Content: Airliners fly much higher than many small aircraft and their line of sight to a radio communications station is far, far greater than an aircraft flying at low altitude. If no one hears, then the pilot is on their own and hopefully, they may have a cell or satellite phone onboard and connected to their radio system or the last option is to rely on the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The ELT can broadcast a signal containing GPS coordinates to the Search & Rescue satellite system by turning the ELT on or when it detects a hard impact in the event of a crash. This will immediately begin the aviation search and rescue procedures run by the FAA. In Populated Areas & Airspace
When an aircraft is flying around the populated cities, outlying areas or in the airway system most aircraft will be on a frequency assigned to a nearby airport, airspace controller, or the general air-to-air traffic frequency used in that area. When a mayday is declared it will be heard by someone, whether that be a pilot or an air traffic controller. If only another pilot hears it they can relay the information to an air traffic controller, at which point the air traffic controller may try and reach the pilot in distress on that frequency. When a mayday call is acknowledged by the air traffic controller most countries demand strict radio silence on the frequency to allow the pilot & air traffic controller to easily communicate without any distractions. In busy airspace, the air traffic controller may ask the pilot in distress to switch to an alternate frequency, or if unable due to workload, then ATC may issue a broadcast for all other pilots to switch so as to keep the current frequency clear. Air traffic controllers will now be working hard to: