# Mayday in a Warzone: When ATC Can't Save You

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aviation-mentors-5653607/mayday-in-a-warzone-when-atc-can-t-save-you
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/aviation-mentors-5653607/mayday-in-a-warzone-when-atc-can-t-save-you.md
Podcast: [Aviation Mentors](https://stenobird.com/podcast/aviation-mentors-5653607)
Published: 2026-03-21T01:13:33+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/aviationmentors/2646526
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/141125/2646526/aviationmentors/2026_03_21_01_12_40_22e165d1-a01e-48ed-92cc-ceb87b9c5615.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/aviation-mentors-5653607/episodes/mayday-in-a-warzone-when-atc-can-t-save-you
Duration seconds: 1722

## Resource

Mayday calls, closed airspace, and no place to land — what do you do when ATC tells you "I don't know what to tell you"? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down a real-world airline crew's nightmare flight during the Middle East airspace crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. A routine 30-minute trip turned into a fuel emergency with nowhere to land, and the lessons apply to every pilot at every level. The hosts cover: How a flight crew added 2.5 tonnes of extra fuel — and still nearly ran out What happens when UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Doha all close their airspace at once Why ATC couldn't help — and what the crew did when Mayday calls went unanswered Pilot decision-making in a warzone: declare emergency and land, or keep holding? Why student pilots must always have a Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C The hard truth: ATC will not save you every single time 🎥 Watch the viral cockpit video that inspired this episode: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1420442186428933/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e 🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or aviation enthusiast, this episode is a masterclass in scenario-based thinking, emergency decision-making, and why more fuel always equals more options. 🌎 New episodes drop every Friday — join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

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## Transcript

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