Which phrase indicates distress in aviation radiocommunication?

• A. Pan-Pan indicates distress; Mayday indicates urgency.
• B. Mayday indicates distress; Pan-Pan indicates urgency.
• C. Both indicate distress.
• D. Neither indicates distress.

Answer: (B)

In aviation radiocommunication, two distinct priority phrases are used: Mayday for distress and Pan-Pan for urgency. Mayday signals grave and imminent danger to the aircraft or people on board and requires immediate assistance; it is spoken three times to grab urgent attention and is followed by the aircraft’s identification and details of the emergency. Pan-Pan, on the other hand, is for an urgency situation that does not involve immediate danger but still needs prompt attention or priority handling.

So the phrase that indicates distress is Mayday, while Pan-Pan indicates urgency. The correct interpretation—Mayday indicates distress and Pan-Pan indicates urgency—is why that option is the best choice. For context, a Mayday call would be followed by the situation and position (for example, engine failure, location, altitude, fuel status), whereas a Pan-Pan call would describe an urgent but non-imminent issue (such as low fuel or medical issue) and request priority.