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signals
5 – d i s tress S I GNAL S
TRANSMISSIONOFSIGNALS
• The pilot in commandof an aircraft shall transmit or display the signals
specified according to the degree of emergency beingexperienced.
• The signals specified in relation toeach successivedegreeof emergency
maybe sent either separatelyor together for anyonedegreeof emergency.
DISTRESSSIGNALS
• The distress signal shall be transmittedonlywhen the aircraft is
threatenedwith grave and immediate danger and requires immediate
assistance.
• In radio telegraphy, the distress signal shall take the formof SOS (... – – –
...), sent 3 times, followedby the groupDE, sent once, and the call signof
the aircraft, sent 3 times.
• The signal specified the abovemay be followed by the automatic alarm
signal which consists of a series of 12 dashes, sent inoneminute, the
duration of each dash being 4 seconds, and theduration of the interval
between consecutive dashes being one second.
• In radiotelephony, the distress signal shall take the formof theword
“MAYDAY”, pronounced 3 times, followed by thewords “THIS IS”,
followed by the call-sign of the aircraft 3 times.
• By othermeans the distress signal shall takeoneormore of the following
forms:
– theMorse signal ... – – – ... with visual apparatus orwith sound
apparatus;
– a succession of pyrotechnical lights, fired at short intervals, each
showing a single red light;
– the two-flag signal corresponding to the lettersNCof the International
Code of Signals;
– the distant signal, consisting of a squareflaghaving, either aboveor
below, a ball or anything resembling a ball;
– a parachute flare showing a red light; and
– a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of approximately one
minute.