General
pan-pan
What does pan-pan mean?
An internationally recognized urgency signal indicating a situation that is serious but does not pose immediate, grave danger to life or vessel — one level below Mayday.
""Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan — engine failure, requesting priority landing.""
Origin
From the French 'panne' meaning a breakdown or failure.
Frequently asked questions
What does "pan-pan" mean?
It's a radio urgency signal for a serious situation that isn't an immediate threat to life — a step below the full distress call, Mayday.
When do you use pan-pan instead of Mayday?
Use pan-pan when you need urgent assistance but no one is in grave, imminent danger — for example a mechanical problem you can still manage. Mayday is reserved for life-threatening emergencies.
Where does "pan-pan" come from?
From the French word "panne," meaning a breakdown or failure.
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