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Emergencies

PAN PAN

Urgency that isn't yet emergency. A serious situation deserving priority attention but not immediate risk. Knowing when to use it — and when to escalate to MAYDAY — is the difference between a pilot who manages and one who's overwhelmed.

5 min read
ICAO Annex 10 · Doc 9432 Chapter 8
Stefano Dias, ATCO

What is a PAN PAN call

PAN PAN is the urgency call — a priority level below MAYDAY but still significant. It indicates a serious situation regarding the safety of the aircraft or a person on board, but not constituting grave and immediate danger.

It's pronounced three times in a row at the start of the message: "PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN". The French pronunciation is "pahn pahn" (like "pan" the syllable of "pant" without the "t"), not "pen pen" English-style.

The origin is French: from "panne" (failure, breakdown). Like MAYDAY, it was chosen because: - Pronounceable uniformly across all languages - Unmistakable for any other operational word - Universal for international radio and telephony

When you say PAN PAN

The criterion is: serious situation but under control. Typical examples:

  • Partial failure (e.g., radio fault, vacuum loss, alternator failure in daylight VFR)
  • Runway blocked or obstacle reported requiring deviation
  • Aircraft lost (loss of position, "lost") — not IMC, not panic, but assistance needed
  • Sick passenger not in life danger but needing assistance
  • Fuel reserve (sufficient to land safely but below regulatory minimums)
  • Strong unexpected turbulence requiring deviation or different altitude
  • Flap or gear failure in an aircraft that can still land with special procedure
The choice rule

MAYDAY if you need to land as soon as possible and every minute counts. PAN PAN if you need priority but can wait 5-10 minutes and manage the situation in a controlled way.

In doubt between PAN and MAYDAY, choose MAYDAY. It's always safer.

Practical difference MAYDAY vs PAN PAN

Aspect MAYDAY PAN PAN
Level Emergency Urgency
Danger Grave and immediate Serious but not immediate
Squawk 7700 Generally not required
Dedicated frequency Yes (silence to others) Priority, not silence
Ground rescue Often activated Only if requested
Example Engine quit Alternator failure
PAN PAN MEDICAL

When the urgency concerns a medical issue on board (passenger feeling ill, symptoms that could worsen), the extended formula is used: "PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN MEDICAL". This variant alerts the controller that an ambulance may be needed at destination.

PAN PAN message structure

Same structure as MAYDAY but with different emphasis:

  1. PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN — the urgency call
  2. Whom you're calling — station name
  3. Aircraft identification — full callsign
  4. Nature of the urgency — what's happening
  5. Intentions — what you want to do
  6. Position, altitude, any operational details
Real example · alternator failure VFR
HB-PMRPAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN, Lugano Information, HB-PMR, alternator failure, request priority landing at Lugano. Position 8 miles south of LSZA, altitude three thousand feet, two persons on board, fuel two hours.
INFOHB-PMR, PAN PAN received, contact Lugano Tower 119.000.
HB-PMR119.000, HB-PMR.
(...frequency change...)
HB-PMRLugano Tower, HB-PMR, with you, alternator failure, requesting priority approach.
TWRHB-PMR, Lugano Tower, you have priority, runway 19, QNH 1018, expect direct entry final.

What the controller does on hearing PAN PAN

Unlike MAYDAY, the controller doesn't silence the frequency. However:

  • Gives you sequential priority on communications and any airspace.
  • Coordinates with other units if needed (e.g. notifying destination airport).
  • Doesn't automatically activate ground rescue, but keeps it on standby if the situation could worsen.
  • Asks for additional details if needed to coordinate arrival.

In many cases a PAN PAN is resolved with a priority landing without further complications. It's the pilot's way of telling the system: "I have a problem, manage me with priority but calmly."

Cancelling a PAN PAN

Identical to MAYDAY: if the urgency resolves, cancel explicitly.

"Lugano Tower, HB-PMR, cancel PAN PAN, situation resolved, normal proceeding."

The controller confirms with "PAN PAN cancelled, normal traffic."

Swiss specifics

🇨🇭 Swiss context

In Switzerland, Skyguide handles PAN PAN with great professionalism. Upon pilot request, they can coordinate REGA on standby even for a PAN PAN if the pilot deems it useful (e.g. expected off-field landing, medical symptoms). There's no cost for this coordination. A preventive PAN PAN is preferable to a late MAYDAY.

Summary — to remember

  1. PAN PAN = urgency. Serious situation but under control.
  2. Three times at the start. "PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN".
  3. Difference vs MAYDAY: time available and severity.
  4. PAN PAN MEDICAL for health issues on board.
  5. Same message structure as MAYDAY.
  6. Controller gives priority but doesn't silence the frequency.

Sources

  • ICAO Annex 10 — Aeronautical Telecommunications, Volume II, Chapter 5
  • ICAO Doc 9432 — Manual of Radiotelephony, Chapter 8
  • AIP Switzerland — GEN 3.6 (Search and Rescue services)
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