It makes sense for pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate in a language both individuals understand. That is somewhat difficult in an age where the world has never been smaller, but with safety in mind it is paramount that a standardized language is available to ensure miscommunication is reduced as much as possible.
So, is air traffic control only done in English? The short answer is no, not all ATC is done in English. For ATC, English is generally only mandated where the traffic is going to be international, not just local. However, in broad terms, general aviation pilots (and even some air traffic controllers) may only be licensed to operate their radio in their mother tongue, because they will normally fly locally or operate airspace that is only low-level, regional traffic.
However, like most things in ATC it isn’t always so clear-cut, so let’s take a look at the regulations and recommendations, as well as some examples.
Table of Contents
Is it against the law to not speak English in ATC?
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) made the recommendation that international aeronautical radiotelephony communications be made in, specifically, aviation English (ICAO Annex 10 ICAO (Vol I, 5.2.1.1.2)). Contrary to popular belief, it is not set in law.
While most countries follow the guidelines set out by ICAO, they are not universally mandated around the world; a country’s ATC authority may choose to mandate aviation English as the language used in their own documents.
Can ATC Speak Other Languages? (Clear, accurate communication)
So, can other languages be spoken? Absolutely. For pilots and ATCs to obtain a radio license they need to have a high command of the language in which they will be using their radios. For some pilots, their local language will be enough (you can’t reasonably expect Farmer Hans in Germany, flying his little ultralight, to need to learn English while he is only puttering around his local district; it is unnecessary).
Generally, for ATCs, their job will require them to have a high command of aviation English and possibly their local language, depending on the airspace they are required to control. A very simplified guide; upper airspace occupied by international jetliners, regional aircraft, and business jets will be predominantly Aviation English, and low-level airspace where the traffic includes small, general-aviation aircraft will be a mix of English and the local language.
However, and this is important, in the case of emergency situations the use of any language sufficiently commanded by the parties involved (i.e. the pilots and air traffic controller) shall be used. So, if that is French, Arabic, or Swahili, then it can be spoken.
Why recommend one language? It seems like a lot of work for everyone to learn English!
Safety was at the forefront for reasoning why Aviation English was chosen. The intention by ICAO in making its recommendation of the worldwide-accepted use of Aviation English was for communications between pilots and ATCs
Miscommunication has been the cause of a number of serious aviation accidents over the last decades. One famous incident in 1990 involved Avianca Flight 52, a Boeing 707 that crashed after it ran out of fuel attempting to land New York JFK Airport. The pilots had already made one failed attempt to land, and in the lead-up had been put into several holding patterns due to weather delays. 73 people died out of the 158 passengers and crew on board.
ATC was simply not made fully aware of the critical low-fuel problem. While the accident can be further discussed in great detail, the key point here is that due to poor communication, the safety of the flight was compromized because ATC had no idea it was a genuine, life-threatening emergency developing.
So, what is aviation English?
Aviation English- what is it?
Aviation English is a very specific, generally instruction-based list of keywords and phrases used by pilots and air traffic controllers for communication. The reasoning for this is to ensure that native English speakers and non-native English speakers alike are able to communicate easily, with a minimum of error and confusion. The basis of aviation English comes from the use of standard phraseology.
Standard Phraseology
This is a term used a lot in aviation, and again it concerns safety. By limiting the dialogue used between pilots and ATCs to the most basic and clear instructions and requests, it is easier to communicate between individuals.
In air traffic control, a controller will give a clearance to an aircraft; for example, a level change:
ATC: “N-ABC climb Flight Level (FL)370”
N-ABC(Pilot): “Climbing FL370, N-ABC”
It is clear and cannot easily be misunderstood. However, if either party is verbose, or uses non-standard phraseology, it can lead to confusion, and confusion can lead to errors, which in turn can lead to accidents.
ATC: “N-ABC I’d like you to climb 2,000FT for me if that’s OK”
N-ABC(Pilot): “OK, we will change a couple of thousand feet for you. Now or in a few minutes?”
This isn’t even an extreme example, but it lacks clarity, conciseness, and accuracy. What level does the ATC want the pilot to climb to? When? Did the pilot understand?
In air traffic control, every transmission should be as clear and concise as possible. This philosophy applies to any language being spoken in aeronautical telephony.
English is not everyone’s first language!
Native English speakers often forget, especially in Europe and Asia where so many languages are spoken, that English is not the mother-tongue of most pilots and air traffic controllers. If individuals are clear, and they use standard phraseology, miscommunication can be reduced.
Fast talking speed, colloquialisms, and slang can potentially cause confusion and create a level of misunderstanding that could easily be avoided if simple standard clearances and requests are used.
For example;
ATC: “N-ABC can you accept FL370?”
Pilot: “N-ABC, affirm” (which means yes), or “Negative, but we are able FL360”
ATC: “N-ABC Roger, climb FL370”, or “Roger, maintain FL350”, or “Roger, climb FL360”
This is just some very basic, typical dialogue that would be heard on the airways around the world at any time of day. It is clear, cannot be easily confused, and can be answered equally easily by the pilot.
The other benefits are worth noting, too. If clearances are kept short and concise where possible, there is less radio congestion, and additionally less chance of a pilot replying with “Say again” because they did not understand the ATC’s transmission.
Consider also in the middle of an emergency, when the stress levels are high and there is the possibility of overloaded pilots and air traffic controllers. In these times, people rely on falling back on the simple, easy-to-understand standard phrases that are a part of Aviation English.
It is certainly not common knowledge, but within the industry it was a poorly-kept secret that some major airlines had English translators on the flight deck. They would listen for any instructions or requests from ATC, translate them to the pilots, then the pilots would tell them what to answer with, and they would reply in English to ATC. Truly!
The Importance of Situational Awareness: Why Airplanes Should Understand Each Other!
When aircraft are flying through a sector, they monitor the relevant ATC frequency, and not only are they listening to ATC, but also to the transmissions made by other aircraft. This is extremely important for pilots because it can help them build a picture of what is happening around them.
This is similar to situations when there is bad weather in the area or delays for arrival at their destination which is something the pilots need to be aware of. Another situation could be a pilot hearing ATC give a level change clearance to an aircraft and thinking, “hang on but I am at that level; I’d better confirm everything is OK.” Or another example, where a pilot is on final approach to land at an airport, but another aircraft has just been cleared for takeoff and is now lining up on the runway.
The pilots listening have at least a chance to query the actions by ATC, and avoid a potentially dangerous incident. These are not common scenarios but be assured, they have happened. So imagine being a pilot flying in the airspace of a country whose language you don’t understand. Speaking and understanding the same language, in this case, aviation English, improves situational awareness which in turn helps maintain safety.
Conclusion
In summary, while English is not necessarily a requirement in air traffic control centres, it is highly likely to be in most cases, and would be very desirable otherwise. If you wish to take up a career as an air traffic controller, speaking and understanding a high level of English is only going to help.
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