Why do we say certain things *three times*, e.g., “Mayday. Mayday. Mayday”?
Repetition is a key characteristic of communication in the control tower, cockpit, and control room. Some phrases, like "Mayday" get repeated. The speaker says the same thing three times.
Why three times?
Is there research suggesting three is the most effective number, or is there a historical reason for the convention?
safety radio-communications
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
add a comment |
Repetition is a key characteristic of communication in the control tower, cockpit, and control room. Some phrases, like "Mayday" get repeated. The speaker says the same thing three times.
Why three times?
Is there research suggesting three is the most effective number, or is there a historical reason for the convention?
safety radio-communications
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
1
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago
add a comment |
Repetition is a key characteristic of communication in the control tower, cockpit, and control room. Some phrases, like "Mayday" get repeated. The speaker says the same thing three times.
Why three times?
Is there research suggesting three is the most effective number, or is there a historical reason for the convention?
safety radio-communications
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
Repetition is a key characteristic of communication in the control tower, cockpit, and control room. Some phrases, like "Mayday" get repeated. The speaker says the same thing three times.
Why three times?
Is there research suggesting three is the most effective number, or is there a historical reason for the convention?
safety radio-communications
safety radio-communications
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
asked 5 hours ago
Mark Jones Jr.Mark Jones Jr.
714317
714317
It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
1
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago
add a comment |
It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
1
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago
It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
1
1
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Yep, the critical commands are repeated 3 times. This insures there is ABSOLUTELY zero doubt in anyone's mind (especially on a big crew airplane) what needs to be done in a critical situation. It also standardizes these criticalities across different aircraft and aircrew cultures. "Bail out, bail out, bail out" "Eject, eject, eject" "Abort abort abort." "Pan, pan, pan." I was 27 years a USAF pilot, and this is how the training has worked for over 50 years. I only saw these terms used 2-3 times, but it certainly gets your attention and amps up the sense of urgency. A little history: back in the day of very poor radio communications, it was necessary to repeat to "get someone's attention" or in the event a single "mayday" didn't come across when the transmit button was pressed.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
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Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
add a comment |
There are no instances in normal conversation where the same word is repeated three times consecutively. In order to prevent a critical command or order from being issued or heard accidentally, a command is given three times in order to verify that it is being given intentionally.
Going to the moon? “Launch! Launch! Launch!”
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Yep, the critical commands are repeated 3 times. This insures there is ABSOLUTELY zero doubt in anyone's mind (especially on a big crew airplane) what needs to be done in a critical situation. It also standardizes these criticalities across different aircraft and aircrew cultures. "Bail out, bail out, bail out" "Eject, eject, eject" "Abort abort abort." "Pan, pan, pan." I was 27 years a USAF pilot, and this is how the training has worked for over 50 years. I only saw these terms used 2-3 times, but it certainly gets your attention and amps up the sense of urgency. A little history: back in the day of very poor radio communications, it was necessary to repeat to "get someone's attention" or in the event a single "mayday" didn't come across when the transmit button was pressed.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
add a comment |
Yep, the critical commands are repeated 3 times. This insures there is ABSOLUTELY zero doubt in anyone's mind (especially on a big crew airplane) what needs to be done in a critical situation. It also standardizes these criticalities across different aircraft and aircrew cultures. "Bail out, bail out, bail out" "Eject, eject, eject" "Abort abort abort." "Pan, pan, pan." I was 27 years a USAF pilot, and this is how the training has worked for over 50 years. I only saw these terms used 2-3 times, but it certainly gets your attention and amps up the sense of urgency. A little history: back in the day of very poor radio communications, it was necessary to repeat to "get someone's attention" or in the event a single "mayday" didn't come across when the transmit button was pressed.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
add a comment |
Yep, the critical commands are repeated 3 times. This insures there is ABSOLUTELY zero doubt in anyone's mind (especially on a big crew airplane) what needs to be done in a critical situation. It also standardizes these criticalities across different aircraft and aircrew cultures. "Bail out, bail out, bail out" "Eject, eject, eject" "Abort abort abort." "Pan, pan, pan." I was 27 years a USAF pilot, and this is how the training has worked for over 50 years. I only saw these terms used 2-3 times, but it certainly gets your attention and amps up the sense of urgency. A little history: back in the day of very poor radio communications, it was necessary to repeat to "get someone's attention" or in the event a single "mayday" didn't come across when the transmit button was pressed.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yep, the critical commands are repeated 3 times. This insures there is ABSOLUTELY zero doubt in anyone's mind (especially on a big crew airplane) what needs to be done in a critical situation. It also standardizes these criticalities across different aircraft and aircrew cultures. "Bail out, bail out, bail out" "Eject, eject, eject" "Abort abort abort." "Pan, pan, pan." I was 27 years a USAF pilot, and this is how the training has worked for over 50 years. I only saw these terms used 2-3 times, but it certainly gets your attention and amps up the sense of urgency. A little history: back in the day of very poor radio communications, it was necessary to repeat to "get someone's attention" or in the event a single "mayday" didn't come across when the transmit button was pressed.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
answered 4 hours ago
ScottyScotty
611
611
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Scotty is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
add a comment |
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
Need clarification. Does emergency "pan" only mentioned 3 times? I heard a senior commercial pilot said that it must be mentioned six times as it only 1 syllable: "Pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan".
– AirCraft Lover
45 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
@AirCraftLover I believe this is is correct. I read a pronunciation manual that described it as "Pahn-pahn", so that would be one iteration, not two, so you're right. 3 pairs of two "pan"s.
– Ryan Mortensen
21 mins ago
add a comment |
There are no instances in normal conversation where the same word is repeated three times consecutively. In order to prevent a critical command or order from being issued or heard accidentally, a command is given three times in order to verify that it is being given intentionally.
Going to the moon? “Launch! Launch! Launch!”
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
There are no instances in normal conversation where the same word is repeated three times consecutively. In order to prevent a critical command or order from being issued or heard accidentally, a command is given three times in order to verify that it is being given intentionally.
Going to the moon? “Launch! Launch! Launch!”
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
There are no instances in normal conversation where the same word is repeated three times consecutively. In order to prevent a critical command or order from being issued or heard accidentally, a command is given three times in order to verify that it is being given intentionally.
Going to the moon? “Launch! Launch! Launch!”
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
There are no instances in normal conversation where the same word is repeated three times consecutively. In order to prevent a critical command or order from being issued or heard accidentally, a command is given three times in order to verify that it is being given intentionally.
Going to the moon? “Launch! Launch! Launch!”
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
answered 5 hours ago
Paul WillettPaul Willett
311
311
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Paul Willett is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It sounds like you're asking why three, rather than two or four. In other words, you're not just asking "why do we say it three times"; you're asking "why is three the number of times that we say it". Is that right?
– Tanner Swett
4 hours ago
1
That literally means the exact same thing.
– Ryan Mortensen
23 mins ago