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Pilot Proficiency

Why We Say ‘MAYDAY’

For pilots, uttering the phrase "MAYDAY" means they're in trouble—but have you ever wondered why?

Meg Godlewski
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MAYDAY and PAN-PAN—also used when we’re in trouble—are both derived from French phrases. [Credit: iStock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • "MAYDAY" and "PAN-PAN" are aviation calls derived from French phrases, used to signal distress or urgency, respectively.
  • "MAYDAY" (from "venez m'aider") indicates serious, imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, while "PAN-PAN" (from "panne") signifies a less critical safety concern needing timely but not immediate help.
  • These distress calls are part of a broader French influence on aviation terminology, which also includes terms like aileron, fuselage, and empennage.
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May 1st, also known as May Day, has several connotations. In some cultures it is celebrated as the traditional beginning of spring marked by placing baskets of flowers on doorsteps. 

For pilots, uttering the phrase “MAYDAY” means they’re in trouble—but have you ever wondered why?

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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