Emergency
Simulation of Emergencies
You are welcome to simulate a variety of emergencies in accordance with the VATSIM Code of Conduct, however during times of high workload, a controller may instruct you to cancel the emergency simulation or disconnect from the network.
Reference
VATSIM Code of Conduct B6
No flight may declare itself to have priority over another. Pilots are permitted to declare in-flight emergencies only when under air traffic control. If, for any reason, air traffic control requests the pilot to terminate the emergency, then the pilot must do so IMMEDIATELY or disconnect from the network.
It is up to the discretion of the pilot in command as to whether to declare a Pan Pan or Mayday. However, the majority of situations will warrant a Pan Pan.
Examples of Emergencies
| Examples of Pan Pans | Examples of Maydays |
|---|---|
| Engine failure in a multi-engine aircraft | Uncontained engine fire |
| Depressurisation | Smoke in the cabin |
| Minor flight control problem | Major flight control problem |
| Medical emergency | VFR in IMC |
| Necessary weather avoidance in contradiction of ATC clearance |
Urgency Call (Pan Pan)
An urgency call should be made when an aircraft requires urgent assistance but there is not an immediate threat to life.
Format
"Pan Pan, [Pan Pan, Pan Pan], ATC Unit, Callsign, Nature of Emergency, Intentions, [Position, Level, Heading], [Any Other Useful Info]"
Example
JST430: "Pan Pan, Melbourne Centre, JST430, engine failure, descending to F210, 178 POB"
ML CTR: "JST430, roger Pan"
Distress Call (Mayday)
A distress call should be made when an aircraft requires urgent assistance and there is an immediate threat to life.
Format
"Mayday [Mayday Mayday], ATC Unit, Callsign, Nature of Emergency, Intentions, [Position, Level, Heading], [Any Other Useful Info]"
Example
VOZ881: "Mayday Mayday Mayday, Adelaide Approach, VOZ881, engine fire, require immediate return to Adelaide, 144 POB"
AD APP: "VOZ881, roger Mayday, turn right heading 360, stop climb at A040"
Fuel Emergencies
See Fuel Planning for descriptions of each fuel emergency.
Minimum Fuel
Format
"Callsign, minimum fuel"
Mayday Fuel
Format
"Mayday Mayday Mayday Fuel"
ACAS
ACAS (also referred to as TCAS) will alert pilots when they are operating in proximity to another aircraft with a Traffic Advisory (TA) and then provide recommended avoidance instructions through a Resolution Advisory (RA).
If an RA is triggered, pilots should notify ATS.
Format
"Callsign, TCAS RA"
Once clear of conflict, pilots should return to their assigned level and notify ATS.
Format
"Callsign, clear of conflict, returning to Assigned Level"
Once re-maintaining their assigned level, pilots shall notify ATS.
Format
"Callsign, clear of conflict, Assigned Level resumed"
During an RA, ATC is not responsible for aircraft separation. If an instruction is received during this time which would put the aircraft in further conflict, pilots must inform ATC that they are unable to comply.
Format
"Callsign, unable to comply, TCAS RA"
Windshear Escape
If pilots experience windshear, they will generally perform the windshear escape procedure. This normally involves a maximum performance climb straight ahead until clear of the windshear.
If a windshear escape manoeuvre is performed, pilots should notify ATS.
Format
"Callsign, windshear escape"
Once clear of windshear, pilots should return to their assigned level and notify ATS.
Format
"Callsign, clear of windshear, returning to Assigned Level"
If an instruction is received during this a windshear escape procedure which the aircraft is unable to comply with, pilots must inform ATS.
Format
"Callsign, unable to comply, windshear escape"