Aeronautical Information Manual
AIM 6-1-2
Emergency Condition- Request Assistance Immediately
An emergency can be either a distress or urgency condition as defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary. Pilots do not hesitate to declare an emergency when they are faced with distress conditions such as fire, mechanical failure, or structural damage. However, some are reluctant to report an urgency condition when they encounter situations which may not be immediately perilous, but are potentially catastrophic. An aircraft is in at least an urgency condition the moment the pilot becomes doubtful about position, fuel endurance, weather, or any other condition that could adversely affect flight safety. This is the time to ask for help, not after the situation has developed into a distress condition.
Pilots who become apprehensive for their safety for any reason should request assistance immediately. Ready and willing help is available in the form of radio, radar, direction finding stations and other aircraft. Delay has caused accidents and cost lives. Safety is not a luxury! Take action!
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Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures AIM
AIM by Chapter Number Chapter 0. General Information Chapter 1. Air Navigation Chapter 2. Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Chapter 3. Airspace Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures Chapter 7. Safety of Flight Chapter 8. Medical Facts for Pilots Chapter 9. Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Chapter 10. Helicopter Operations Chapter 11. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5
ATPUBS
AIM by Topic
General Information Explanation of Changes
Air Navigation Navigation Aids
Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Area Navigation (RNAV)
Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Airport Lighting Aids
Air Navigation and Obstruction Lighting
Airport Marking Aids and Signs
Airspace General
Controlled Airspace
Class G Airspace
Special Use Airspace
Other Airspace Areas
Air Traffic Control Services Available to Pilots
Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques
Airport Operations
ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation
Surveillance Systems
Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR
Operational Policy/Procedures for the Gulf of America 50 NM Lateral Separation Initiative
Air Traffic Procedures Preflight
Departure Procedures
En Route Procedures
Arrival Procedures
Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities
National Security and Interception Procedures
Emergency Procedures General
Emergency Services Available to Pilots
Distress and Urgency Procedures
Two‐way Radio Communications Failure
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications
Safety of Flight Meteorology
Barometric Altimeter Errors and Setting Procedures
Cold Temperature Barometric Altimeter Errors, Setting Procedures and Cold Temperature Airports (CTA)
Wake Turbulence
Bird Hazards and Flight Over National Refuges, Parks, and Forests
Potential Flight Hazards
Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports
Medical Facts for Pilots Fitness for Flight
Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Types of Charts Available
Helicopter Operations Helicopter IFR Operations
Special Operations
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) General
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
Large UAS (MGOW 55 Pounds or More)
Airspace Access for UAS
UAS Pilot Testing, Certification and Responsibilities
Advanced Air Mobility
UAS Operations on Airports
Other Information and Best Practices
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Emergency Procedures
Emergency Services Available to Pilots
Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures
Section 2. Emergency Services Available to Pilots
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 20, 2026.