Which radio phraseology is used to indicate an Urgency to air traffic control?

• A. MAYDAY
• B. SECURITE
• C. ADVISORY
• D. PAN PAN

Answer: (D)

Pan-Pan is used to indicate an urgency that requires priority handling from air traffic control, but it is not an immediate life-threatening situation. You signal urgency by saying the word Pan-Pan three times at the start of the transmission, then identify your aircraft and explain the nature of the issue, position, and what you need from ATC. This makes clear to controllers that you need prompt assistance and priority for routing, altitude changes, or a possible priority landing, without implying a direct threat to life.

This differs from a MAYDAY call, which communicates grave danger to life or the aircraft and requires immediate, decisive action by ATC and emergency services. SECURITE is used for safety messages about hazards to navigation or safety that might affect others, not for a specific aircraft’s own urgent situation. An advisory label isn’t a formal distress or urgency call and doesn’t carry the same priority meaning as Pan-Pan.