AIRCRAFT HANDLING Part 8 Aircraft Emergencies

Emergencies Emergencies can occur in flight at any time and without warning. Therefore it is vital that all aircrew have a full knowledge of distress action, so that their response to any emergency is swift and thorough.

Emergency Transmissions Two degrees of aircraft emergency are recognised internationally: Urgency and Distress Urgency – a message concerning the safety of persons or the aircraft. Distress – the aircraft is threatened by serious or imminent danger and is in need of immediate assistance.

Emergency Transmissions The pilot communicates with ATC by Radio Telephony - Wireless Telegraphy Each emergency message having its own pro-word and pro-sign to alert ATC: Urgency R/T – ‘Pan, Pan, Pan’ W/T – XXX XXX XXX Distress R/T – ‘Mayday, Mayday, Mayday’ W/T – SOS SOS SOS

Emergency Transmissions The emergency message should include as much of the following information as possible: (1) Position And Time (2) Heading And Air Speed (3) Altitude (4) Type of Aircraft (5) Nature of Emergency (6) Intentions of Captain (7) Endurance Remaining PAT HAS ATNIE

Emergency Procedures Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) is used to indicate an emergency. Air Traffic Control give a four digit code which the pilot enters into an instrument on the flight deck. This code enables the aircraft to be positively identified on the controllers radar screen (with the aircraft’s callsign and height readout).

Emergency Procedures In the event of a total radio failure, the pilot will enter the code 7600 to alert ATC to the problem. If an emergency occurs when in contact with an ATC agency, the SSR code already set should remain in use unless advised otherwise by ATC. In all other cases the transponder should be set to code 7700.

Emergency Procedures Final Transmission When ditching, crash landing or abandonment is imminent, the aircraft callsign should be transmitted and, where possible, the transmit control switch should be left in the transmit position. For W/T the key should be clamped in the transmit position.

Emergency Procedures The pilot of an aircraft with radio problems can alert ATC by flying a triangular pattern. If only the transmitter has failed, the pilot will fly an equilateral triangle to the right.

Emergency Procedures The pilot of an aircraft with radio problems can alert ATC by flying a triangular pattern. If both the transmitter and receiver have failed, he will fly an equilateral triangle to the left.

Fixer Services Within the U.K. a network of stations provide an emergency fixer service. If a pilot is in contact with an ATC agency when an emergency occurs, he should transmit his emergency call on the frequency in use. If not in contact, he should transmit the emergency call on 243.0 MHz. with 121.5 MHz as a back-up frequency, or on the HF frequency of 500 KHz.

Fixer Services Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) is a satellite aided system for search and rescue. Inadvertent transmissions, particularly on 243 MHz, should be reported immediately to the appropriate ATCC in order to avoid wasting search and rescue effort on false alarms.

Other Aircraft Visual emergencies with other aircraft Keep aircraft in sight Guide in any other aircraft, vessels or vehicles Contact ground controller Captain to comply with special instructions from ground controller

Other Aircraft Radio emergencies with other aircraft Take bearing on transmission & plot position if possible Listen out on appropriate frequencies If no acknowledgement is heard, call aircraft Listen out for instructions from ground control At captains discretion, proceed to emergency location

Emergency Organisations ATCC Distress & Diversion Cell Aircraft in distress may make contact with an ATCC or ATCRU by: transmitting an emergency message on the frequency in use, transmitting on the emergency frequency by a relay transmission from another aircraft, by flying the triangular patterns.

Emergency Organisations ATCC Distress & Diversion Cell When the ATCC has identified an aircraft in distress, executive authority for the handling of the emergency is passed to the Emergency Controller in the ATCC Distress and Diversion Cell.

Emergency Organisations Search & Rescue Services Emergency controller will advise the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) (2 x RCC in UK, Plymouth & Edinburgh) The RCC co-ordinates the activities of all SAR facilities which may include: SAR helicopters, lifeboats, long range maritime patrol aircraft, mountain rescue teams and police and ambulance services.

Emergency and Distress Check Understanding What are the two degrees of aircraft emergency which are internationally accepted? Distress and Urgency Urgency and Emergency Emergency and Distress Distress and Mayday

Check Understanding In an aircraft distress message, what pro-word is used? Mayday, Mayday, Mayday Pan, Pan, Pan SOS SOS SOS Emergency, Emergency, Emergency

Check Understanding When using secondary surveillance radar, what code indicates a total radio failure? 7900 7700 7600 7400

Check Understanding What is the frequency 243 MHz used within the UK to provide? A UHF fixer service An SSR emergency frequency An HF fixer service A VHF emergency frequency

Check Understanding What is the meaning of SARSAT? Search and Recovery Satellite Aided Tracking. Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking. Search and Rescue System and Technology. Search and Recovery Satellite Aided Technology

Check Understanding If a pilot has a failed transmitter and receiver, in which direction should he fly an equilateral triangle? To the right Right to left To the left Clockwise

AIRCRAFT HANDLING End of Presentation