SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-mayday-three-times

How should a pilot in distress begin the first radio call for help?

MAYDAY, preferably said three times.

Start playing free

  1. PAN-PAN, said twice
  2. Emergency, said once
  3. MAYDAY, said three times ✔

Why: The AIM says a distress call should begin with MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. MAYDAY gets absolute priority and orders radio silence for everyone else on the frequency.

Huh, didn't know that: PAN-PAN is the signal for an urgency condition, a step below distress, and is used the same way.

The dad joke
Why do pilots say MAYDAY three times? Because once is just a calendar date.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: MAYDAY, said three times. The AIM says a distress call should begin with MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. MAYDAY gets absolute priority and orders radio silence for everyone else on the frequency.

  1. AIM 6-3-1, Distress and Urgency Communications www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap6_section_3.html
    should begin with the signal MAYDAY, preferably repeated three times. The signal PAN-PAN should be used in the same manner for an urgency condition.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhich transponder code tells ATC your two-way radio has failed?Flying & DronesOn a VFR cross-country and not talking to ATC, which frequency would you use in an emergency?Flying & DronesWhich aircraft has the right of way over all other air traffic?

That's stuff everyone should know.