Emergency alert as passenger plane set to land at East Midlands Airport

“Chappy1884 - I have a PPL and so know what private pilots are taught. Anyone interested can google the CAA's documentation CAP413.”

“Just saying - thanks for correcting everyone - I was until last year a Naval Communicator with over 20 years experience as an operator and instructor.

There are many states of Emergency.
Those covered by the International Aeronautical Distress agreement,
Those covered by GMDSS, SARBE conventions
Sub-surface - conditions such as Submiss, Sublook, Subsunk,

Only Emergency Conditions are indicated using the prefix Mayday Mayday, followed by this is and your international Callsign - a description of your emergency - state of power or descent - and your position. Mayday isn't suffixed by all stations as it is broadcast on open frequencies.

The only Urgency Condition - and request for Call for assistance is - Pan Pan,

The only Maritime Safety Condition is Securite - which is repeated 3 times on local frequencies followed by all stations repeated 3 times then a description of your safety condition, usually elaborated with directions to a scheduled station or channel providing further information.
e.g Securite Securite Securite all stations all stations all stations - Exploration Vessel bigrig conducting litoral seismic detonations in area Malin Hebrides between 0700 and 0900 all units are advised to transit outside 1nm further information ch72 out.

But what do I know - not like I ever dealt worked on any UK Aeronautical or Maritime Circuits..”

“The states of emergency are classified as follows:
a) Distress. A condition of being threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and
of requiring immediate assistance.
b) Urgency. A condition concerning the safety of an aircraft or other vehicle, or of
some person on board or within sight, but does not require immediate assistance.

The pilot should start the emergency call with the appropriate international RTF prefix
as follows:
a) Distress 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY'
b) Urgency 'PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN'

The UK has two Distress and Diversion (D&D) Sections located at the London and
Scottish Area Control Centres. They are manned by RAF control staff who are
assisted in the provision of an emergency service on the International Aeronautical
Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz and on 243.0 MHz by suitably equipped civil and
military units and certain HM Coastguard stations. The service is available
continuously to pilots flying within UK airspace who are in distress, in urgent need of
assistance, or experiencing difficulties

However, if a pilot is already in communication with a civil or military ATSU, before the
emergency arises (which would normally be the case), assistance should be requested from the controller on the frequency in use.”

“"minor technical issue" presumably means they for reason best know to them, they are not prepared to give any further information unless made to divulge what the "minor technical issue" was for commercial reasons. Understandable but not acceptable in a democratic society.”

“another poorly written article. what was the issue?”

“Pan is not the next level of alert below a Mayday call at all..

It's an urgency message to alert nearby units of a potential safety condition, it can be followed by a call for assistance. It is repeated in pairs 3 times followed by "All Stations" - and is transmitted in the clear on Open VHF and HF Frequencies only.”