"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote

I can't personally recall a controller asking a pilot if he'd like to
declare an emergency. I don't believe FAAO 7110.65 ever directs a
controller to ask a pilot if he'd like to declare an emergency.

I lost an engine on a twin a few years ago and when I advised ATC and asked
for vectors to the nearest airport I was asked if I was declaring an
emergency. Being young, proud, and confident, I stupidly told them no.
Then they asked if I wanted the "equipment" standing by. I stupidly told
them no again, for the same dumb reasons. Then they asked the usual
questions about how many "souls" were on board and how much fuel I had.
After I gave them the fuel information they advised that they would "roll
the equipment" for me anyway. What a nice reception I got - a whole line of
fire fighting trucks and resuce equipment lined up and standing by as I
arrived. Happily I didn't need them.

I have gotten older and wiser since then (and have had a few more things
break on airplanes while I was flying) - if something like that happens to
me again I will immediately declare an emergency and I will have the
equipment standing by.

BDS