# The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013, Paragraph 63: Distress, urgency and safety signals

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

(1) The following signals, given either together or separately before the sending of a message, signify that an aircraft is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance—
(a) by radiotelephony—
the spoken word ‘MAYDAY’;
(b) by visual signalling—
(i) the signal SOS (… --- …);
(ii) a succession of pyrotechnic lights fired at short intervals each showing a single red light;
(iii) a parachute flare showing a red light;
(c) by sound signalling other than radiotelephony—
(i) the signal SOS (… --- …);
(ii) a continuous sounding with any sound apparatus.
(2) The following signals, given either together or separately, before the sending of a message, signify that the pilot-in-command of the aircraft wishes to give notice of difficulties which compel it to land but that he does not require immediate assistance—
(a) a succession of white pyrotechnic lights;
(b) the repeated switching on and off of the aircraft landing lights;
(c) the repeated switching on and off of its navigation lights, in such a manner as to be clearly distinguishable from the flashing navigation lights described in rule 49.
(3) The following signals, given either together or separately, indicate that the pilot-in-command of the aircraft has an urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, vehicle or other property or of a person on board or within sight of the aircraft from which the signal is given—
(a) by radiotelephony—
the repeated spoken word, ‘PAN PAN’;
(b) by visual signalling—
the signal XXX (- .. -- .. -- .. -);
(c) by sound signalling other than radiotelephony—
the signal XXX (- .. -- .. -- .. -).

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/2870/schedule/4/paragraph/63 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/air-navigation-overseas-territories-order-2013/schedule-4/paragraph-63
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.