By: Nikita Nikhil
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Have you ever wondered why pilots say “Mayday?” It's more than just a dramatic phrase and an important part of airplane safety. Here's what it really means.
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"Mayday is used by pilots only in severe emergencies like engine failure, fire, or depressurisation. It's an urgent call for immediate assistance.
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Saying “Mayday” three times helps avoid miscommunication. It tells air traffic controllers and nearby airplanes that it's a confirmed emergency.
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“Mayday” comes from the French phrase m'aides or Venez m'aider which translates to “help me” or “come help me.” It originated in the early 1920s.
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British radio officer Frederick Mockford came up with the idea for “Mayday” because it was easy to hear and understand with poor radio signals.
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In 1927, the United States formally adopted “Mayday” as the international distress signal for flight and aviation emergencies worldwide.
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While “Mayday” means grave danger, “Pan-Pan” is used for urgent but non-life-threatening issues like medical discomfort or minor failures.
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For more useful travel facts like this, click here.
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