Originally Posted by
solowflyer
Just sitting on the fence wondering what if any difficulties in communication where a factor in this tradgedy. I understand both pilots are Indian Citizens and can only assume English is their second language. Although they may have been able to speak english perfectly well, how many times have we all been hearing heavy accents over the radios these days and then wondered what did they just say?
This issue is currently being addressed with the implementation of English proficiency standards for license holders from student pilots to ATPLs. The process has started (as of March of this year), though, student pilots do not need to be assessed until 5th September of this year, to be issued with a student pilots license.
And having done an English Proficiency test myself, different accents are taken in to consideration when assessing your proficiency, in both speaking and listening.