Tag: mayday

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Video answers: ‘Why people say “mayday” in an emergency’

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It had to be easily understood by all pilots and ground staff.
  2. It wasn’t chosen because it was used in normal conversations which weren’t emergencies.
  3. When selecting the word to use, the English and French languages were thought about.
  4. It should be repeated three times to avoid confusion with somebody relaying a mayday call (but not in an emergency themselves) and confusion with other similar sounding words.
  5. In that case, pilots should use the expression ‘pan-pan’, again repeated three times to avoid confusion.
  6. It doesn’t mean anything, it was chosen due to its unmistakable character.

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Video: ‘Why people say “mayday” in an emergency’

Fly High English - Video

This week’s video describes the use the term ‘mayday’. How did people choose that expression? Watch the video to find out more.

Try to answer the following questions about the video and come back on Monday for the answers.

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. What were the criteria when choosing a word to indicate an emergency?
  2. Why was the word ‘help’ not chosen?
  3. What languages were though about in selecting the word?
  4. How many times should the word ‘mayday’ be used to indicate an emergency, and why?
  5. What expression should be used in a case of urgency, but not emergency?
  6. What does SOS mean?

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Have a great weekend!

Why People On Planes Say “Mayday” in an Emergency?

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