Engine trouble? Use clear phraseology.

[200hr Wonder]

What is wrong with a cal something like: "Pan Pan Pan This is so and so I am having an engine problem"? Seems to me what I would do.

[trey kule]

Good Post.

We will discuss it at our next safety meeting.

[Rudy]

That's funny, I immediatley assumed it was engine power they were talking about but my co-pilot, like you, thought they meant electrical power. There's lots of new pilots in northern ont. right now and thats going to mean some ambiguous communications for you unfortunately. Nice job giving them their options for airfields.

[Liquid Charlie]

Great post and it drives home that ATC wants accurate but short transmissions - we do not need to run a diagnostic for the controllers -- verbosity is a very normal reaction - I would say that this is the one area where smaller carriers can improve in their training departments. We all get the drills and emergencies hammered into us in training but airborne training does not give a good platform to fine tune communication procedures. Most is concentrated on flying the airplane -- which is good but there is a lot more going on. Talking on the radio, to passengers and company tends to be acknowledged in training but not followed through.

Single engine IFR -- while it seems statically safe I still think the "pucker" factor is high and stress levels when the one thing that is allowing you to defy gravity makes you go "WTF" -- a good shot of adrenaline is forth coming.

Good job to the crew -- good decisions always gives everyone the warm fuzzies.

[2milefinal]

This is a pretty good video of how things should go when dealing with an emergency.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9KhZwsYtNDE&feature=related

[200hr Wonder]

From the Radio Operators Study Guide:

PAN PAN means the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit
concerning the safety of a mobile unit or a person.

I honestly think it is under used. An engine power problem is certainly very urgent, even if it is only an indication in the end. What Pan Pan does it get everyone's ears who are listening tuned in to you.

[Ogee]

Reminds me of a humorous incident from the mists of time. Trainee operator at Quesnel.

F-ABC: Quesnel Radio-FABC
Quesnel: FABC Quesnel go ahead
FABC: FABC is a 172 out of Williams Lake. 10 south inbound on one engine.
Quesnel: Are you declaring an emergency
FABC: No, this airplane only has one engine.

[pelmet]

Does the statement of "we've got one standing at attention" make it clear enough?

[Spokes]

What is wrong with a cal something like: "Pan Pan Pan This is so and so I am having an engine problem"? Seems to me what I would do.

I can only assume that the indications were not troubling enough for the crew for them to consider that option. That being said, pilots also notoriously understate the severity of a problem/emergency.

Well, if it was enough to divert for, maybe it should have been.