distress signal

(redirected from Triangular distress pattern)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.

distress signal

[də′stres ‚sig·nəl]
(communications)
An international signal used when a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance; examples are special radiotelegraph and radiotelephone signals or special signal flags or flares.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

distress signal

A signal transmitted by an aircraft in distress. It could be transmitted on radio as Mayday or by light indications.
An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved