AIM ¶ 6-3-2 — Obtaining Emergency Assistance
AIM 6-3-2 explains how pilots obtain emergency assistance: climb, squawk 7700, transmit MAYDAY/PAN-PAN, and key message elements for ATC and SAR.
In Plain English
AIM 6-3-2 walks pilots through the recommended steps to get help when things go wrong. The actions don't have to be done in strict order — fly the airplane first, then communicate.
Initial actions:
- Climb if possible for better comms, radar, and DF coverage (but don't bust an IFR clearance unless using emergency authority under 14 CFR 91.3(b)).
- If already talking to ATC, keep your assigned Mode A/3 code and Mode C unless told otherwise.
- If not in contact, squawk 7700 and try to raise someone.
Distress vs. urgency call:
- MAYDAY x3 = distress (immediate danger).
- PAN-PAN x3 = urgency (concern but not immediate danger).
Message elements (as many as needed, ideally in order): station addressed, aircraft ID/type, nature of emergency, weather, intentions/request, position and heading, altitude, fuel remaining in minutes, souls on board, and other useful info.
After contact, cooperate — ask questions, don't change frequencies unless necessary, and if you do, advise first and return to the last good frequency if comms fail.
If bailout, crash landing, or ditching is imminent: transmit ELT status, landmarks, aircraft color, POB, and emergency equipment; activate the ELT; set the radio to continuous transmission (if fire isn't a risk); ditch near a vessel if possible; and after a crash landing, stay with the aircraft to aid SAR.
AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 6-3-26-3-2. 6-3-2. Obtaining Emergency Assistance
A pilot in any distress or urgency condition should immediately take the following action, not necessarily in the order listed, to obtain assistance: Climb, if possible, for improved communications, and better radar and direction finding detection. However, it must be understood that unauthorized climb or descent under IFR conditions within controlled airspace is prohibited, except as permitted by 14 CFR section 91.3(b). If equipped with a radar beacon transponder (civil) or IFF/SIF (military): Continue squawking assigned Mode A/3 discrete code/VFR code and Mode C altitude encoding when in radio contact with an air traffic facility or other agency providing air traffic services, unless instructed to do otherwise. If unable to immediately establish communications with an air traffic facility/agency, squawk Mode A/3, Code 7700/Emergency and Mode C. Transmit a distress or urgency message consisting of as many as necessary of the following elements, preferably in the order listed: If distress, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAY-DAY; if urgency , PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN. Name of station addressed. Aircraft identification and type. Nature of distress or urgency . Weather. Pilots intentions and request. Present position, and heading; or if lost , last known position, time, and heading since that position. Altitude or flight level. Fuel remaining in minutes. Number of people on board. Any other useful information. REFERENCE- Pilot/Controller Glossary Term- Fuel Remaining. After establishing radio contact, comply with advice and instructions received. Cooperate. Do not hesitate to ask questions or clarify instructions when you do not understand or if you cannot comply with clearance. Assist the ground station to control communications on the frequency in use. Silence interfering radio stations. Do not change frequency or change to another ground station unless absolutely necessary. If you do, advise the ground station of the new frequency and station name prior to the change, transmitting in the blind if necessary. If two-way communications cannot be established on the new frequency, return immediately to the frequency or station where two-way communications last existed. When in a distress condition with bailout, crash landing or ditching imminent, take the following additional actions to assist search and rescue units: Time and circumstances permitting, transmit as many as necessary of the message elements in subparagraph a 3 above, and any of the following that you think might be helpful: ELT status. Visible landmarks. Aircraft color. Number of persons on board. Emergency equipment on board. Actuate your ELT if the installation permits. For bailout, and for crash landing or ditching if risk of fire is not a consideration, set your radio for continuous transmission. If it becomes necessary to ditch, make every effort to ditch near a surface vessel. If time permits, an FAA facility should be able to get the position of the nearest commercial or Coast Guard vessel from a Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. After a crash landing, unless you have good reason to believe that you will not be located by search aircraft or ground teams, it is best to remain with your aircraft and prepare means for signaling search aircraft.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What's the difference between a MAYDAY and a PAN-PAN call, and how is each transmitted?
Per AIM 6-3-2, MAYDAY is used for distress conditions and PAN-PAN for urgency conditions. Each is spoken three times at the start of the radio call (MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY or PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN).
Q2If you can't reach ATC in an emergency, what should you squawk and why might you climb?
Per AIM 6-3-2, if unable to establish communications, squawk Mode A/3 Code 7700 with Mode C altitude encoding. Climbing, when possible, improves communications, radar coverage, and direction-finding detection — though unauthorized IFR climbs are prohibited except as permitted by 14 CFR 91.3(b).
Q3What information should you transmit in a distress or urgency message?
Per AIM 6-3-2, transmit as many of these as necessary, preferably in order: MAYDAY or PAN-PAN, station addressed, aircraft ID and type, nature of distress/urgency, weather, intentions/request, present position and heading (or last known position if lost), altitude, fuel remaining in minutes, number of people on board, and any other useful information.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 6