Do we mumble on the radio in Oz?
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Do we mumble on the radio in Oz?
A mate of mine who flies freight into Oz from the US told me that he finds Aussie pilots to be the worlds laziest on the radio. Instead of of filtering out the usual 'okay', 'sure why not', 'yeah, no problem', 'with you this time', slang, that he sees in the US, he reported that our required transmissions are often rushed, garbled or mumbled both by pilots and controllers. I hadn't really noticed it until I listened for it.
"Flill" = flight level
"Daah" = delta
Registration readbacks as one garbled, mumbled yawn.
It hit home when I watched a turboprop land at Brisbane recently. The pilots readback of his landing clearance only made sense because I had heard his rego said clearly from the tower. If not, I would have heard nothing short of burpy,blurpy,daah. Are we that busy and rushed that we are forgetting how to talk properly?
"Flill" = flight level
"Daah" = delta
Registration readbacks as one garbled, mumbled yawn.
It hit home when I watched a turboprop land at Brisbane recently. The pilots readback of his landing clearance only made sense because I had heard his rego said clearly from the tower. If not, I would have heard nothing short of burpy,blurpy,daah. Are we that busy and rushed that we are forgetting how to talk properly?
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Compared to the very low level of 'English' used by some Asian carriers I don't think Aussie pilots have an issue. I think this industry has far bigger problems than the odd mumbled call sign.
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One of my pet bugbears.
Seems some/a lot of pilots think it sounds more professional to very rapidly mumble the calls, slurring and running their words together, to the point that they are unintelligible.
Slow, clear and concise is much more professional.
Seems some/a lot of pilots think it sounds more professional to very rapidly mumble the calls, slurring and running their words together, to the point that they are unintelligible.
Slow, clear and concise is much more professional.
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Thinking about it I'm probably guilty sometimes, more the slurring/dropping syllables though. By 3am it's become Vloss-tee and Em-rates etc.
The thing I really notice when speaking to a US pilot is that one of us pronounces PAPA wrong, and neither are going to change.
The thing I really notice when speaking to a US pilot is that one of us pronounces PAPA wrong, and neither are going to change.
We get quite a few Aussie pilots through Wellington - don't remember ever having an issue with any of their R/T.
Clear as.
(edited to add: As a member of the English-speaking country that has an accent that is sometimes described as 'borderline retarded', perhaps the comment should be taken with a punch of salt. 'Pinch' for the non-Kiwis.)
Clear as.
(edited to add: As a member of the English-speaking country that has an accent that is sometimes described as 'borderline retarded', perhaps the comment should be taken with a punch of salt. 'Pinch' for the non-Kiwis.)
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Fair enough
I totally agree that a lot of Aussie pilots rush their R/T calls and unless you are 100% focused on what they are saying you'll find it impossible to decipher. Which can lead to a loss of SA, something that i'd wish would improve.
However having just returned from the US recently, I'd have a thing or to to say about their conduct on the radio. (Despite being very clear and concise
) I found a higher than normal amount of tower controllers and some pilots for that matter disregarding std phraseology in favor of telling their entire life story. 
Its interesting to say the least
HR
However having just returned from the US recently, I'd have a thing or to to say about their conduct on the radio. (Despite being very clear and concise
) I found a higher than normal amount of tower controllers and some pilots for that matter disregarding std phraseology in favor of telling their entire life story. Its interesting to say the least
HR
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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I do a bit of flying in Japan occasionally and the main comment I get is to speak a little slower.
And I never have problems with understanding Japanese Pilots speaking English over the radio, or elsewhere for that matter.
And I never have problems with understanding Japanese Pilots speaking English over the radio, or elsewhere for that matter.
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Naaaaah, Ozzies don't mumble…they moan and whinge…and tell on each other 
Ozzie RT standards are generally very good IMHO, yes there are some dumbass local interpretations…"Daaaayseemaal" (but they exist all over).
The only serious thing I've ever noticed personally is the speed of the read backs at time. I reckon if anyone thinks people mumble on the radio, its most likely due to poor technique with the boom mic.
Ozzie RT standards are generally very good IMHO, yes there are some dumbass local interpretations…"Daaaayseemaal" (but they exist all over).
The only serious thing I've ever noticed personally is the speed of the read backs at time. I reckon if anyone thinks people mumble on the radio, its most likely due to poor technique with the boom mic.
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DAY-SEE-MAL is correct. Look it up.
NATO phonetic alphabet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'd say Australians have some of the best standard R/T around. Yes they speak quickly to each other (and are rarely misunderstood), they also speak slower and more clearly when in other parts of the world in my experience.
NATO phonetic alphabet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'd say Australians have some of the best standard R/T around. Yes they speak quickly to each other (and are rarely misunderstood), they also speak slower and more clearly when in other parts of the world in my experience.
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I'd say Australians have some of the best standard R/T around
Just a shame that they have copied what just about every other international pilot does with good mornings, good afternoons, giddays, good evenings, see youse laters, thanks very much's as well as superfluous reading back of items not required to be read back.
A seppo complaining about rt? 
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Yes, we mumble on the radio at times, but so does every other nationality. Ever heard a Texan on the radio? Some are crystal clear, some sound like John Wayne.
Why do Canadians and Americans pronounce one of the LHR holds Bovington? (with a T, when it's Bovingdon with a D)
Why does JFK ATC insist on speaking so quickly that many Nationalities ask them to repeat the instruction or clearance?
Australians are not perfect, but there again, no-one else is either.
Why do Canadians and Americans pronounce one of the LHR holds Bovington? (with a T, when it's Bovingdon with a D)
Why does JFK ATC insist on speaking so quickly that many Nationalities ask them to repeat the instruction or clearance?
Australians are not perfect, but there again, no-one else is either.