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I'm a low time PPL. In my personal opinion, practice pans, perhaps one or two a year, are a good thing. Practice in a procedure that builds confidence removes one more item from the pucker factor list if it does all go wrong and lets your brain focus on the situation.

The D&D cell are always happy to assist and I know that they welcome it as it gives them practice as much as it does me. They are always excellent and it's comforting to know that they are there if I ever need them for real.

However, I know that many pro pilots do not approve of this. I am aware that they are often required to monitor guard and that practice pans can be a source of noise but is it really that disturbing? I've even had that terse "transmitting on guard" broadcast which to me is a) entirely rhetorical and b) great irony.

If something genuine crops up on guard, then of course I'd shut up and continue on my way but are there any genuine reasons for amateurs to not practice? Surely it's better for all users of the sky to be as good as they can?

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  • $\begingroup$ I find any transmission on guard, besides sanctioned use by ATC or aircraft in distress, to be moderately distracting and annoying. Typically someone usually decides the need to broadcast on guard right when I'm receiving pertinent instructions from ATC. I'm not going to lambast someone on guard, but I am going to simply turn it off--which basically defeats the whole purpose of having guard... $\endgroup$
    – Rhino Driver
    Apr 16, 2015 at 17:33

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I presume you are from UK since it is the only country I know of that uses practice pans.

Basically, ICAO (ICAO Annex 10, Volume V, § 4.1.3.1.1) states that the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz (sometimes called "guard") shall be used only for genuine emergencies. So typically any other use is considered misuse.

However, countries can file deviations from this rule and publish these deviations in their AIP. One such example is the UK, where 121.5 can be used for practice PAN calls to ensure pilot familiarity with the process.

Pilots not familiar with the situation in the UK sometimes frown upon this use, and as you mention, jump in with the dreaded "transmitting on guard" sentence. But those doing that seem to have the same reaction when a real emergency is going on.

If you are flying in the UK and want to practice an emergency situation you are encouraged to do so by the D&D cells.

The D&D Cell welcomes training fixes and Practice PANS for controller training on all our frequencies

But remember to ask permission first:

A/C > London Centre, callsign, request Practice Pan

If they have the time to accommodate you, the reply will be something like

London > callsign, Practice Pan acknowledged, continue when ready

And remember, it is not only a practice for you, but also for controllers. There is a benefit for everyone flying around.

An example of a Practice Pan can be seen in this video

From Get into flying.com

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    $\begingroup$ Thanks for the response. I am from the UK and I was not aware that practice pans (or equivalent) are not widespread! That might explain some of the adverse reactions. I do indeed always request a practice pan first and have not been refused (I've only done perhaps 4 or 5). To ward off other comments, I am also aware that the phrase "practice pan" is the only one to be used on guard when practicing procedures. There is no such thing as a "practice mayday". Do you happen to know if students and PPLs have any similar procedures in mainland Europe? $\endgroup$
    – Simon
    Jan 25, 2014 at 13:10
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    $\begingroup$ One thing that can help those not familiar with the procedure is to let them know that you are intentionally transmitting on guard by appending "on guard" or "transmitting on guard" to the end of all of your transmissions. Then (most) people listening will at least know that it wasn't an accident. $\endgroup$
    – Lnafziger
    Jan 25, 2014 at 13:16
  • $\begingroup$ @Simon I don't know of any similar arrangements in other European countries. I'll try and find out. $\endgroup$
    – DeltaLima ♦
    Jan 27, 2014 at 11:14
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    $\begingroup$ For the benefit of those of us unfamiliar with UK procedures, what does a Practice Pan consist of exactly? Just a simulated distress call? And if so, who gets to decide on the "emergency" and how far to follow through with the scenario? $\endgroup$
    – habu
    Apr 16, 2015 at 23:52
  • $\begingroup$ It also suggests you might be able to do a practice pan on a frequency other than 121.5 $\endgroup$
    – DJClayworth
    Jan 13, 2022 at 19:19

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