U.S. Airline Transport Pilot International Flight Language Experiences, Report 5: Language Experiences in Native English-Speaking Airspace/Airports

Abstract : In 1998, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a heightened interest in the role of language in airline accidents. Its Air Navigation Commission was directed to complete the task of strengthening relevant ICAO provisions concerning language requirements. Member states agreed to take steps to ensure air traffic control (ATC) personnel and flight crews involved in flight operations in airspace where the use of the English language is required were proficient in conducting and comprehending radiotelephony communications in English. Since then, ICAO developed its English-Language Proficiency requirements (ELP) and urged its members to document their ELP test implementation plans by March 8, 2008. Until all ATC personnel and flight crews involved in flight operations obtain a passing level of ELP, the language-based problems international pilots face is not known. This report is a compilation of written responses and comments by a group of 48 U.S. pilots of their difficulties in international operations who met with interviewers to discuss their language experiences flying into countries where English may or may not be the local or national language among its radio operators, controllers, and pilots. In this report, the pilots' responses to questions 31-38 and their comments from discussions of those questions with interviewers are presented as a compiled narrative. The pilots' responses had nine major thrusts, among them the following: (1) Traveling into nonnative English-speaking countries can be a positive learning experience leading to professional growth and development; (2) English-language proficiency varies from country to country and individual to individual, however, problems occur everywhere; and (3) Hearing multiple languages on the radio restricts situational awareness and diminishes pilots' expectations as information derived from the party line decreases.