Pan-Pan

Pan-Pan is the international radiotelephony urgency call, indicating a condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or its occupants that requires priority handling but does not involve the immediate danger that would warrant a Mayday distress call. The term comes from the French word "panne" meaning breakdown or failure.

Examples of Pan-Pan situations include:

• Medical emergency on board (passenger or crew member)
• Minor mechanical issues requiring precautionary landing
• Fuel status approaching minimum reserve levels
• Partial loss of navigation capability
• Uncertain of position (but not lost)

The format follows the same structure as a Mayday call: "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan" (spoken three times), followed by the station being called, aircraft callsign, nature of the urgency, pilot's intentions, and position information. ATC will provide priority handling and may clear other traffic to accommodate the aircraft.