Handling Emergencies
Overview
Occasionally a controller may be faced with every real world controller's worst nightmare; an aircraft with an emergency. Handling emergencies can be quite different than normal aircraft.
Keep in mind that VATSIM regulations allow a controller the option, unlike the real world, of accepting a declared emergency or rejecting it. Most often this decision is based on the current traffic load and the controllers comfort zone in properly dealing with an in flight emergency. The option to accept or reject the emergency is solely up to the controller working the aircraft. The controller may inform the pilot that they are unable to provide emergency services and if necessary ask the pilot to disconnect if the emergency cannot be resolved.
On VATSIM an emergency should be declined if accepting it will cause unnecessary inconvenience to other pilots on the network.
Definitions
- Emergency is a distress or urgency condition
- Mayday is the international radiotelephony distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent or grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested.
- Pan-Pan is the international radiotelephony urgency signal. When repeated three times, indicates uncertainty or alert followed by the nature of the urgency.
Squawk Codes
An aircraft may indicate an emergency situation by squawking one of the following universally recognized squawk codes:
- 7500 - Hijacking
- 7600 - Radio Failure
- 7700 - General Emergency
Hijacks
Hijacking of an aircraft or declaring that an aircraft is hijacked is not permitted by any pilot on the VATSIM Network and will not be tolerated or allowed. Pilots declaring a hijack should be reported to the nearest Supervisor, VATUSA or VATSIM staff member and will face disciplinary action in accordance with the VATSIM Code of Conduct.
Any aircraft that squawks 7500, the universal hijack squawk code, will be automatically dropped from the network.
Accepting an Emergency
Upon accepting an emergency there are several things you must remember.
Pilots Rights
- The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for and is the final authority as to the safe operation of that aircraft. In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any Federal Aviation Regulation or ATC instruction or request to the extent required to meet that emergency.
- If the emergency authority is used to deviate from the provisions of an ATC clearance, the pilot in command must notify ATC as soon as practical and obtain an amended clearance.
Communications
Each controller should ensure that they know all of the following information about an aircraft with an emergency
- Aircraft identification and type
- Nature of emergency or urgency
- Fuel remaining in minutes
- Number of souls on board (Optional for VATSIM)
- Pilots intentions and/or request
All radio chatter should cease once pilots observe communications with an aircraft operating under emergency conditions. If necessary advise all pilots on your frequency that an aircraft has declared an emergency and please stand by.
The controller may request that an aircraft declaring an emergency
squawk an emergency squawk code. In most cases it will not be necessary
to instruct the pilot to modify their current squawk. The most common reasons for an aircraft to change their squawk is if they are not already on an ATC assigned squawk code, or if they are not immediately able to communicate the emergency to ATC .
Local Control (Tower)
If you have an inbound emergency aircraft:
- Advise Ground Control of the emergency and of any runways or taxiways you need to remain clear to accommodate the emergency. If necessary, ask all aircraft to "hold position".
- Issue any necessary takeoff clearances for aircraft who may already be in position and hold. Depending on the location of the emergency the use of "expedite" or "cleared for immediate takeoff" may be used.
- Issue any necessary hold shorts for aircraft waiting to depart to ensure the runway is available for the emergency.
- If possible land aircraft on final. If the landing aircraft will interfere, issue a sidestep and landing clearance on another runway or direct them to go around.
Approach/Center
At this level you will have much more traffic to consider when handling an emergency. You will have to coordinate with the pilot based on the emergency, fuel onboard, weather, and abilities as well as any other controllers that the flight will encounter.
If VFR, the weather will be a primary concern in directing an aircraft to an airport. In the case of VFR, the actual emergency could even be that the pilot has flown into an unexpected weather situation that they are not prepared to handle. Therefore, it will be your job to assist the pilot by providing vectors to VFR conditions. While assisting the VFR aircraft, you as the controller will assume responsibility for providing separation services to that aircraft.
- In most cases the majority of traffic should be able to continue normally however, it may be necessary to issue new vectors, route or even a hold to aircraft that could interfere with the emergency. Remember to advise the pilots being rerouted why they are being rerouted.
"Delta123, turn right heading 180, delayed vectors for emergency traffic."
- Advise and coordinate with any controllers the flight will encounter.
- Most of the time the pilot will tell you where they want to land. If you are providing assistance with field selection take into account the aircraft type, current position, runway length and airport resources when providing suggestions.
Emergencies are a different, interesting and exciting addition to a normal day on the scopes. If possible it is always nice to accommodate the pilot and provide whatever assistance you can.
Declining an Emergency
Depending on your traffic load and skill level it may not always be possible to accommodate the special requests and increased attention an emergency can bring. If you opt to decline the emergency do so courteously. Advise the pilot that you are unable to provide the required services and that they will need to resolve the emergency. If the pilot is unable to resolve the emergency in a timely manner or if the flight will interfere with other traffic it may be necessary to ask the pilot to complete their flight while disconnected from the network. Remember to be professional and respectful when declining the request of a pilot.
