PRACTICE 01
Build the essential details
Name what you see, then listen for the opening, identity and request. Type the short answer asked for.
FREE · 12 PRACTICE ITEMS · AUDIO + ANSWERS
MAYDAY Call Format: Build and Practise Your Call
Practise a MAYDAY call format by building a clear distress report. Type the essential details, then record your own calls and compare the models.
BRIEFING
Make a distress report understandable
A MAYDAY call format is easier to practise when you organise the message around the distress call, aircraft identity, problem, position, intention and assistance needed. Give the details you can in the circumstances; if you cannot include everything at once, update ATC when able.
The speaking tasks explicitly state that the crew have assessed distress. Describe what you know, distinguish it from what you suspect and ask for clarification if necessary. These are original language exercises; use the procedures applicable to your flight in real operations.
- Name the visible details and complete the short audio answers.
- Give an example call and explain the updates you would make.
- Compare each model and its ICAO skill notes with your recording.
PRACTICE
Work through the exercise
0 done
PRACTICE 02
Cabin smoke
The examiner asks
You are Skyline fife two one, approaching Riverton from the south. The cabin is filling with smoke and you assess distress. Give an example MAYDAY call and explain what information you would update.
Your taskGive a concise example call, then explain your priorities to the examiner.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Skyline fife two one. We have smoke in the cabin. We are south of the airport and request an immediate landing. Please send the fire service. The smoke is getting more thick, so I will tell the controller if it changes. When we can, we will give the number of people on board and other information the controller needs.
Notes for Level 4
- Vocabulary
- Uses common operational words for smoke, location and assistance.
- Structure
- Mostly simple sentences; “more thick” is a small non-standard form.
- Interactions
- States a request and offers a further update.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Skyline fife two one, south of the airport. Smoke is filling the cabin and we request an immediate landing with the fire service standing by. I would tell ATC if the smoke became denser or affected our ability to continue. When workload permits, I would give the number of people on board and answer any questions about the assistance required.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- “Filling the cabin” and “standing by” state the problem and request precisely.
- Structure
- A conditional links a change in conditions to an update.
- Fluency
- The call moves from identification to the need, then to follow-up details.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Skyline fife two one, south of the field. Smoke is spreading through the cabin; we need to land immediately and request the fire service on arrival. I would keep the initial call concise, then update ATC as soon as the crew can confirm the extent of the smoke and the people on board. If the situation worsened, I would say so explicitly rather than leave the controller to infer it.
Notes for Level 6
- Vocabulary
- “Spreading” distinguishes the observed change from an assumed source.
- Comprehension
- Covers the position, the stated assessment and the requested assistance.
- Interactions
- Makes the follow-up conditional on what the crew can confirm.
PRACTICE 03
Damaged windscreen
The examiner asks
You are Nordair two one on approach. The windscreen is badly cracked, visibility is affected and you assess distress. Give an example MAYDAY call and explain what ATC needs to know.
Your taskGive a concise example call, then explain your priorities to the examiner.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Nordair two one. We have a badly cracked windscreen and we cannot see clearly ahead. We are on approach and request an immediate landing. We need the fire service to be ready. I will tell ATC our position and if our visibility gets worse. The controller can ask us for more information when we have time.
Notes for Level 4
- Vocabulary
- Names the damaged windscreen and explains its effect.
- Structure
- Simple, understandable requests and a short condition.
- Pronunciation
- Practise stressing “cracked windscreen” and the call sign clearly.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Nordair two one. Our windscreen is badly cracked and forward visibility is reduced. We are on approach and request an immediate landing and the fire service on arrival. I would give our position and keep ATC informed if the crack spread or our ability to see changed. If a question was unclear, I would ask the controller to repeat it.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- “Forward visibility is reduced” describes the operational effect.
- Structure
- Connects potential changes with a conditional update.
- Interactions
- Includes a clear request for repetition if needed.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Riverton Approach, Nordair two one on approach. The windscreen is severely cracked and our forward view is impaired. We require an immediate landing, with the fire service standing by. I would report our position and any further deterioration, distinguishing what we can actually see from what we suspect caused the damage. A concise update gives the controller something actionable while leaving the crew time to manage the aircraft.
Notes for Level 6
- Vocabulary
- “Forward view is impaired” conveys the practical limitation.
- Fluency
- The report is concise before the explanation develops its reasoning.
- Comprehension
- Separates visible damage from an unconfirmed cause.
PRACTICE 04
Cabin pressure problem
The examiner asks
You are Lakeair six two. The cabin masks have dropped after a cabin pressure problem, and you assess distress. Give an example MAYDAY call with your intended descent and explain what you would communicate next.
Your taskGive a concise example call, then explain your priorities to the examiner.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Lakeair six two. We have a cabin pressure problem and the passenger oxygen masks have dropped. We need to descend immediately. I will tell the controller our position and the level we are passing when I can. We will explain our plan and tell them if the situation gets worse. I will also ask for help if we need it.
Notes for Level 4
- Vocabulary
- Identifies the cabin pressure problem and oxygen masks.
- Structure
- Short sentences give an intention and a future update.
- Interactions
- Requests a descent and keeps ATC informed.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Lakeair six two. We have a cabin pressure problem and the passenger oxygen masks have deployed. We need an immediate descent. I would report our position and passing level when able, then advise ATC of our intended destination and any assistance required. If the controller’s response were incomplete or unclear, I would ask for the relevant part again and confirm what we understood.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- “Masks have deployed” and “passing level” are precise and useful.
- Structure
- A conditional links an unclear response with a clarification request.
- Comprehension
- Responds to both the immediate descent and the later update.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Lakeair six two. We have a cabin pressure problem; the passenger masks have deployed and we need to descend immediately. I would give our position and passing level as soon as practicable, then explain our intentions and the assistance we need. I would keep ATC updated if the situation changed, and check any instruction we could not hear clearly. The first transmission should convey the urgent need without adding unverified details.
Notes for Level 6
- Vocabulary
- Describes the observed mask deployment without claiming a cause.
- Fluency
- Moves from the immediate message to a measured sequence of updates.
- Interactions
- Makes room to clarify instructions and report changed needs.
PRACTICE 05
Engine fire
The examiner asks
You are Coastal two six near the coast. An engine is on fire and you assess distress. Give an example MAYDAY call, your intention and the assistance you need.
Your taskGive a concise example call, then explain your priorities to the examiner.
Your turn · speak for up to 75 seconds
1:15
Optional. Your recording stays in this browser — nothing is uploaded.
Model answers
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Coastal two six. We have a fire in an engine. We are near the coast and we need to land as soon as possible. We request the fire service at the airport. I will tell the controller our position more exactly when I can. We will give more details about the fire and the people on board when we are able.
Notes for Level 4
- Vocabulary
- Uses clear terms for the fire, position and requested service.
- Structure
- Simple present and future forms make the message understandable.
- Pronunciation
- Practise keeping “fire”, “near the coast” and the call sign distinct.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Coastal two six. We have an engine fire and are near the coast. We intend to land as soon as possible and request the fire service on arrival. I would provide a more precise position and the number of people on board when able. If the fire changed or we could not accept an instruction, I would tell ATC promptly and explain what we needed instead.
Notes for Level 5
- Vocabulary
- Identifies an engine fire and a specific assistance request.
- Structure
- Conditional language covers a change or inability to comply.
- Interactions
- Includes an explicit update rather than assuming ATC knows the crew’s limits.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. Control, Coastal two six, near the coast. We have an engine fire and intend to land as soon as possible. Please arrange the fire service for our arrival. I would refine our position and supply the number of people on board when the crew can confirm it. If a proposed instruction were unsuitable, I would say “unable”, explain the constraint and agree the next workable action with ATC.
Notes for Level 6
- Vocabulary
- “Refine our position” and “constraint” add precision.
- Fluency
- The direct call is followed by a logically ordered explanation.
- Interactions
- Clearly rejects an unsuitable instruction and seeks a workable alternative.
Check your answers and compare your speaking with the model, then see your practice debrief.
DEBRIEF
Your practice debrief
KEEP PRACTISING
More free ICAO English exercises
FAQ
Common questions
What is a useful MAYDAY call format to practise?
Start with the distress call and aircraft identity, then communicate the problem, position, intention and assistance needed as the situation permits. Add or correct details when you are able.
How do I make a MAYDAY call in English?
Practise saying the opening clearly, identify your aircraft and describe the problem in plain language. State what you need from ATC, then give useful updates. The examples here are independent language practice.
What if I cannot give every detail at once?
Communicate the urgent information you can and add details when able. Avoid inventing a position, number or cause you have not confirmed.
How do I describe smoke or an engine fire?
Name the observed problem and where it is, state your intention and request the assistance you need. Say if the condition changes; avoid diagnosing its cause unless you know it.
Are the speaking models a test score?
No. They are examples for comparison using ICAO skill names. A licensing authority approves the tests used for its licences, and test formats vary by provider.
