Mayday

Mayday is the internationally recognized radiotelephony distress call, indicating that the aircraft is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. The word derives from the French "m'aidez" (help me) and was adopted as the standard distress call by the International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927.

The proper Mayday call format is:

1. "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" (spoken three times)
2. Station being called (ATC facility)
3. Aircraft callsign (spoken three times)
4. Nature of the emergency
5. Pilot's intentions
6. Position, altitude, heading
7. Souls on board and fuel remaining

Upon receiving a Mayday call, ATC gives the aircraft priority over all other traffic, provides whatever assistance is possible, and alerts search and rescue services. Other aircraft on frequency should maintain radio silence unless they can provide direct assistance.

A lesser urgency call is Pan-Pan (from French "panne" — breakdown), used when there is an urgent situation that does not involve immediate danger to the aircraft or its occupants but requires priority handling.