ATC Requirements During an In-Flight Emergency  ATC personnel can help pilots during in-flight emergency situations. Pilots should understand the services provided  by ATC and the resources and options available. These services enable pilots to focus on aircraft control and help them  make better decisions in a time of stress.  During emergency situations, pilots should provide as much information as possible to ATC. ATC uses the information to  determine what kind of assistance it can provide with available assets and capabilities. Information requirements vary  depending on the existing situation. ATC requires at a minimum, the following information for in-flight emergencies:  Provide Information  Radar Assistance  If time and the situation permits, the pilot should provide ATC with more information. Listed below is additional  information that would help ATC in further assisting the pilot during an emergency situation.  When the pilot requests, or when deemed necessary, ATC can enlist services of available radar facilities and DF facilities  operated by the FAA. ATC can also coordinate with other agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other local  authorities and request their emergency services.  Radar is an invaluable asset that can be used by pilots during emergencies. With radar, ATC can provide navigation  assistance to aircraft and provide last-known location during catastrophic emergencies. If a VFR aircraft encounters or  is about to encounter IMC weather conditions, the pilot can request radar vectors to VFR airports or VFR conditions. If  the pilot determines that he or she is qualified and the aircraft is capable of conducting IFR flight, the pilot should file  an IFR flight plan and request a clearance from ATC to the destination airport as appropriate. If the aircraft has already  encountered IFR conditions, ATC can inform the pilot of appropriate terrain/obstacle clearance minimum altitude. If the  aircraft is below appropriate terrain/obstacle clearance minimum altitude and sufficiently accurate position information  has been received or radar identification is established, ATC can furnish a heading or radial on which to climb to reach  appropriate terrain/ obstacle clearance minimum altitude.  A-5  •  Aircraft identification and type  •  Nature of the emergency  •  Pilot’s desires  •  Aircraft altitude  •  Point of departure and destination  • Airspeed •  Fuel remaining in time  •  Heading since last known position  •  Visible landmarks  •  Navigational aids (NAVAID) signals received  •  Time and place of last known position  •  Aircraft color  •  Pilot reported weather  •  Emergency equipment on board  •  Number of people on board  •  Pilot capability for IFR flight  •  Navigation equipment capability 