Hola Miguel...
You might like to take a look at a posting of mine on 10th Oct...

Hi Yachtpilot,

Is it "Spanish Land grab" the posting you're referring me to?

If so, I'm sorry, but just can't figure out the connection to mine :confused:

Regards.

Sorry about the delayed response Guatico... away for a few days...
no... the posting I was refering to was on this thread on the 10th Oct...relating to an incident while operating in Spain...

Yachtpilot never mind the delay ;)

Ok, I got it and have just read it.

I must say I agree to some extent. One only language on frequency surely boosts situational awareness and therefore safety.

The problem is not the compulsory use of English for all professional pilots irrespective of his mother tongue or nationality, as most of them are able to manage themselves in english (I believe).

The problem is what to do with non professional pilots flying small planes who lack the skill to comunicate in english? Is it possible to compel someone with the nationality of the state he's flying in to use a foreign language? I'm afraid it isn't or ,at least, very difficult to.

So... :confused:

Guatico...

No I appreciate this, private pilots cannot all be expected to master English in the relatively short time that it takes to aquire a PPL.... I have no phobias about language.. only safety ! In the situation you describe the controller should take care to ensure that the foreign pilot using English is kept aware of the other traffics' movements to ensure situational awareness...
It ads to the radio traffic which is an extra burden but this is preferable to the horrendous consequences of a collision.

just think about small french small airfield where "self information" is in french and english......lots of french private pilots don't understand english...and forign pilots don't understand french....how can it work??? :confused: I really don't know.
In some of thes airfield it is compulsory to speak french on frequency (writen on the charts)...but that's not a solution!

Yes Priscilla but this web-site is concerned primrily with professional pilots and commercial aviation.....There is a PPL column elsewhere on the web-site...

Well Yachtpilot, taking advantage of your reply to Priscilla I would add:

Despite this website's issues are primarily aimed at commercial aviation discussion, I guess you will agree with me that controllers issues aren't (or shouldn't) since all pilots (either prof. or PPL) become their equal clients once they're on frequency ;)

Controllers at major airports/ATC facilities or even at minor ones but open to commercial flights usually have to deal with commercial and non commercial traffic every single day so it is still a problem to have non english speaking "PPLs" on frequency.

I'd refer you to the case of XRY/LEJR for example. An airport with regular international/national flights, local aeroclub private pilots, and furthermore, trainees from BAE System flight school, where english communications aren't rare at all, thus improving commercial and BAE pilots' situational awareness. Not being so for most of locals.

So, the more "PPLs" speaking english, the better. Quite a hard work ahead to achieve that, though.

Regards.

PS: Priscilla, a lower ratio of non-controlled airstrips comparing Spain to France also offers certain advantages :D

Was told by a friend from Toronto that controllers in Montreal were strongly in favour of having split frequencies, i.e English Twr/App. and French Twr/App. What would THAT do for S.A? :uhoh:

Hi Maverfic,

I think that would do nothing unless the controller ensures every single direction, clearance etc. given to any pilot (on one or the other freq) is heard on both frequencies on its respective language. That added to continuous frequency switching would greatly increase workload and likelyhood of mistake.

If what stated above is not carried out, how can a pilot on freq. #1 be aware of the instructions issued on freq. #2 to another?

Tell me you're effin kidding! This has got to be a wind up.

It would seem from that statement that the folks in Montreal would prefer to go 10 steps backwards to taking a step forward or even just marking time............

Robmac,Salam, Apa kamah?. I have had the same experiances with the Indonesians.it doesn't seem to matter what you or them have to say.
just have to love the "KOMOROW TOWER, VICTOR HOTEL ECHO UNIFORM KILO, 50 MILES SOUTH EAST MAINTAINING 8500.
VICTOR HOTEL ECHO UNIFORM KILO, CLEARED TO LAND RUNWAY ONE EIGHT, NEXT CALL BASE.

KOMOROW TOWER, VICTOR HOTEL ECHO UNIFIRM KILO, MA'AF, SAYA BELAM LANCAR DELAM BAHASA INDONESIA. APAKAH ANDA BERBAHASA INGGRIS?.

AAAH, VICTOR HOTEL ECHO UNIFORM KILO, KAMU BAHASA INDONESIA!. BAIK BAIK. SAYA BAHASA INGGRIS TIDAK BAIK. TIDAK APA APA.
you just know its going to be a good place to fly then :hmm:

strangly enough,whilst off galloping around the Philippines, I had absolutely no problems with Mactan (west) control, cebu director, cebu tower,(cebu ground was a slight drama) Manila director and Manila tower and ground.
All ICAO English and very easy to work with. :ok:

spodman :' For the same reasons should jet drivers only speak German?'

ever heard of henry coanda? he was not a german ,for sure.
The Me was not the first jet plane,as you may think.
cheers :ok:

Alex,
The "coanda" was a "Ducted Fan", not a "true" jet.
There was also a Frenchman [name escapes me] who invented a "jet", using the "vacuum" principle in about 1910[ish]
we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

Je pense que tous les anglais ne savent rien de la langue, la liberte, la vie ou les femmes.
Vive la France.:E :p

SAY AGAIN TOP CONDOM ... AM I CLEAR TO LINE UP ?

Negative Yachtpilot, he said cleared take-off with an early right turn, max rate of climb until passing 5000ft.

Yes, that's very good topgundom.

How do you say "unsafe" in French?

Sorry for the hiatus. Was just off thinking about life, freedom, women and language for a bit.

Think I missed my slot though.

After all, one does need a break now and again: I can't be on the internet TWENTY-FOUR/SEVEN can I?

With regards to Montreal, no it wasn't a wind-up (unless I was on the receiving end), but it was a few years ago.

Any Canadians online to give us a more up-to-date picture? I know some elements of the population had a campaign there to get all the English translations removed from road signs, and there was some talk of being a state independent from the rest of Canada, prompting many to hang up the Maple Leaf in their houses to show support for a united country.

Perhaps viewed in context the ATC idea didn't sound as foolhardy as we find it.