Why Do Pilots Say 'Mayday' In An Emergency? The History Behind The Term
Why Do Pilots Say ‘Mayday’ In An Emergency? The History Behind The Term You’ve heard it before in plenty of TV shows and movies. A plane is plummeting to the ground or it loses engine power and the pilot says, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” and air traffic control (ATC) immediately jumps into action because they know the aircraft is in danger. A pilot saying “Mayday” three times in succession is globally recognized as the aviation distress call....