Let's work through a realistic example. You are F-GHJK, a Piper Archer, en route from Lyon to Geneva at 2500 feet. Engine temperature begins to rise abnormally. Within two minutes, oil pressure drops. The engine begins to lose power, and you realize you cannot maintain altitude. The nearest aerodrome is 8 miles away at a bearing of 030 degrees, but you are descending and may not make it. You declare:
Radar or any station" data-aircraft="F-GHJK">
Distress - Engine Failure
Geneva Radar or any station · F-GHJK
PILOT: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, Geneva Radar, F-GHJK
PILOT: Engine failure, descending, attempting to reach Chambéry
PILOT: Position, eight miles south of Lake Annecy, altitude 1500 feet, two souls on board
PILOT: Piper Archer, registration F-GHJK, blue and white
Notice what you do NOT do: you do not say "I think I'm in distress" or "maybe I need help." You declare. You own the emergency. ATC will take immediate action:
- Clear all other traffic from your vicinity
- Alert rescue services
- Clear a runway if you declare intention to land at an aerodrome
- Track your radar target and provide vectors if you request them
- Provide continuous communication support
Once you have transmitted your initial MAYDAY, listen. ATC will respond, usually with a call such as "F-GHJK, Geneva Radar, squawk 7700, descend to 1000 feet, vector 045, two miles to Chambéry." From that moment forward, follow their instructions and report any significant changes in your situation. If your situation deteriorates (e.g., fire becomes uncontrollable, you must ditch), make another MAYDAY transmission.