GM1 SERA.11001 General

• ED Decision 2016/023/R found in: SERA (923/2012) Standardised European Rules of the Air (Feb 2023)
• ED Decision 2024/007/R found in: SERA (923/2012) Standardised European Rules of the Air (Dec 2024)

GM1 SERA.11001 General ED Decision 2016/023/R EMERGENCY DESCENT PROCEDURES (a) When an aircraft operated as a controlled flight experiences sudden decompression or a malfunction requiring an emergency descent, the aircraft should, if able: (1) initiate a turn away from the assigned route or track before commencing the emergency descent; (2) advise the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible of the emergency descent; (3) set transponder to Code 7700 and select the emergency mode on the automatic dependent surveillance/controller–pilot data link communications (ADS/CPDLC) system, if applicable; (4) turn on aircraft exterior lights; (5) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) (if equipped); and (6) coordinate its further intentions with the appropriate ATC unit. (b) The aircraft is not to descend below the lowest published minimum altitude that will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 300 m (1 000 ft) or, in designated mountainous terrain, of 600 m (2 000 ft) above all obstacles located in the area specified. (c) Immediately upon recognising that an emergency descent is in progress, ATC units are to acknowledge the emergency on radiotelephony. In particular, when recognising that an emergency descent is in progress, ATC may, as required by the situation: (1) suggest a heading to be flown, if able, by the aircraft carrying out the emergency descent in order to achieve separation from other aircraft concerned; (2) state the minimum altitude for the area of operation, only if the level-off altitude stated by the pilot is below such minimum altitude, together with the applicable QNH altimeter setting; and (3) as soon as possible, provide separation from conflicting traffic, or issue essential traffic information, as appropriate. When deemed necessary, ATC will broadcast an emergency message, or cause such message to be broadcast, to other aircraft concerned to warn them of the emergency descent. GM1 SERA.11001 General ED Decision 2024/007/R EMERGENCY DESCENT PROCEDURES (a) When an aircraft operated as a controlled flight experiences sudden decompression or a malfunction requiring an emergency descent, the aircraft should, if able: (1) initiate a turn away from the assigned route or track before commencing the emergency descent; (2) advise the appropriate ATC unit as soon as possible of the emergency descent; (3) set transponder to Code 7700 and select the emergency mode on the automatic dependent surveillance/controller–pilot data link communications (ADS/CPDLC) system, if applicable; (4) turn on aircraft exterior lights; (5) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) (if equipped); and (6) coordinate its further intentions with the appropriate ATC unit. (b) The aircraft is not to descend below the lowest published minimum altitude that will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 300 m (1 000 ft) or, in designated mountainous terrain, of 600 m (2 000 ft) above all obstacles located in the area specified. (c) Immediately upon recognising that an emergency descent is in progress, ATC units are to acknowledge the emergency on radiotelephony. In particular, when recognising that an emergency descent is in progress, ATC may, as required by the situation: (1) suggest a heading to be flown, if able, by the aircraft carrying out the emergency descent in order to achieve separation from other aircraft concerned; (2) state the minimum altitude for the area of operation, only if the level-off altitude stated by the pilot is below such minimum altitude, together with the applicable QNH altimeter setting; and (3) as soon as possible, provide separation from conflicting traffic, or issue essential traffic information, as appropriate. When deemed necessary, ATC will broadcast an emergency message, or cause such message to be broadcast, to other aircraft concerned to warn them of the emergency descent. *[applicable until 30 April 2025 – ED Decision 2016/023/R]* **EMERGENCY DESCENT PROCEDURES** (a) When an aircraft experiences sudden decompression or a malfunction requiring an emergency descent, the pilot should take the following steps as soon as practicable in the order appropriate for the circumstance: (1) navigate as deemed appropriate by the pilot; (2) advise the appropriate ATS unit of the emergency descent and, if able, intentions; (3) set transponder to Code 7700 and, if applicable, select the appropriate emergency mode on the automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast and/or automatic dependent surveillance – contract (ADS-B/ADS-C); (4) turn on aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating limitations); (5) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) (if equipped); and (6) when emergency descent is complete, coordinate further intentions with the appropriate ATS unit. (b) The aircraft should not descend below the lowest published minimum altitude that will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 300 m (1 000 ft) or, in designated mountainous terrain, of 600 m (2 000 ft) above all obstacles located in the area specified. (c) Upon recognition that an aircraft is making an emergency descent, all appropriate actions should be taken immediately by the air traffic services unit to safeguard all aircraft concerned. Appropriate actions may include the following, in the order appropriate for the circumstance: (1) broadcasting an emergency message; (2) issuing traffic information and/or instructions to aircraft affected by the descent; (3) advising the minimum flight altitude and altimeter setting for the area of operation; and (4) informing any other air traffic services units that may be affected by the emergency descent. (d) Unless specifically instructed by the air traffic services unit to clear the area or threatened by immediate danger, the pilot of an aircraft receiving emergency descent broadcast should take the following actions: (1) continue according to current clearance and maintain listening watch on the frequency in use for any further instructions from the air traffic services unit; and (2) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if equipped). *[applicable from 1 May 2025 – ED Decision 2024/007/R]* ##### GM1 SERA.11001 General *ED Decision 2024/007/R* **EMERGENCY DESCENT PROCEDURES** (a) When an aircraft experiences sudden decompression or a malfunction requiring an emergency descent, the pilot should take the following steps as soon as practicable in the order appropriate for the circumstance: (1) navigate as deemed appropriate by the pilot; (2) advise the appropriate ATS unit of the emergency descent and, if able, intentions; (3) set transponder to Code 7700 and, if applicable, select the appropriate emergency mode on the automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast and/or automatic dependent surveillance – contract (ADS-B/ADS-C); (4) turn on aircraft exterior lights (commensurate with appropriate operating limitations); (5) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) (if equipped); and (6) when emergency descent is complete, coordinate further intentions with the appropriate ATS unit. (b) The aircraft should not descend below the lowest published minimum altitude that will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 300 m (1 000 ft) or, in designated mountainous terrain, of 600 m (2 000 ft) above all obstacles located in the area specified. (c) Upon recognition that an aircraft is making an emergency descent, all appropriate actions should be taken immediately by the air traffic services unit to safeguard all aircraft concerned. Appropriate actions may include the following, in the order appropriate for the circumstance: (1) broadcasting an emergency message; (2) issuing traffic information and/or instructions to aircraft affected by the descent; (3) advising the minimum flight altitude and altimeter setting for the area of operation; and (4) informing any other air traffic services units that may be affected by the emergency descent. (d) Unless specifically instructed by the air traffic services unit to clear the area or threatened by immediate danger, the pilot of an aircraft receiving emergency descent broadcast should take the following actions: (1) continue according to current clearance and maintain listening watch on the frequency in use for any further instructions from the air traffic services unit; and (2) watch for conflicting traffic both visually and by reference to ACAS (if equipped).