Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-10/12
Title and Subtitle: U.S. Airline Transport Pilot International Flight Language Experiences, Report 4: Non-Native English-Speaking Controllers Communication With Native English-Speaking Pilots
Report Date: August 2010
Authors: Prinzo OV, Campbell A, Hendrix A, and Hendrix R
Abstract: In 1998, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a heightened interest in the role of language in airline accidents. 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.
This report is a compilation of responses and comments by a group of U.S. pilots from American, Continental, Delta, and United Airlines of their difficulties in international operations. In this report, their responses to questions 39-45 are presented as a compiled narrative. We derived six major thrusts:
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-10/12
Title and Subtitle: U.S. Airline Transport Pilot International Flight Language Experiences, Report 4: Non-Native English-Speaking Controllers Communication With Native English-Speaking Pilots
Report Date: August 2010
Authors: Prinzo OV, Campbell A, Hendrix A, and Hendrix R
Abstract: In 1998, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a heightened interest in the role of language in airline accidents. 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.
This report is a compilation of responses and comments by a group of U.S. pilots from American, Continental, Delta, and United Airlines of their difficulties in international operations. In this report, their responses to questions 39-45 are presented as a compiled narrative. We derived six major thrusts:
- The English language proficiency of non-native English-speaking controllers may be inadequate for high workload conditions;
- Pilots develop and use different strategies to improve ATC communications once they determine the controller's language proficiency;
- Pilots describe ATC communications between users of the same and different languages;
- Language switching distracts pilots and limits understanding, adversely affects situational awareness, leaves them with feelings of uncertainty, and increases their workload;
- Language barriers most affect situational awareness just prior to top-of- descent and during taxi; and
- How pilots compensate for reductions in situational awareness.
We offer 16 recommendations to improve communication practices ranging from developing standardized and secure English language testing for use by all ICAO member states, to realistic emergency and nonroutine scenarios and simulations demonstrating use of conversational English to enhance datalink for surveillance and communications.
Key Words: Communications, ATC Communication, Air Traffic Control
No. of Pages: 38
Last updated: Sunday, February 14, 2016