What is the official language for aircraft airport communication?

Aviation English is the de facto international language of civil aviation. With the expansion of air travel in the 20th century, there were safety concerns about the ability of pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate.

Why do pilots have to speak English?

All pilots who fly internationally are required to speak English as required by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. Using English as the global aviation language helps provide clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent accidents and incidents.

Can other planes hear what the pilot is talking to you?

Obviously the crews of any other aircraft in the area can hear what they are saying, along with ATC, so in busy traffic areas anything other than short business-related messages are disapproved of. They could take a chat to another frequency but then they’re not monitoring the original one, which is unsafe.

Why is English the standard language for aviation communication?

In 1951, when international air travel really started to take off, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended that English be the standard language for aviation communications. Why English? At the time, the US and UK manufactured and operated the majority of the world’s aircraft. Native Anglophones, consider yourself lucky!

Why is clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers important?

Clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers is absolutely necessary for safety. What happens when a flight crew flies to a country that speaks a different language? Just imagine: an Air China flight crew that speaks Mandarin arrives in Paris and must converse with French controllers.

What do pilots use to communicate with ATC?

Alpha Code – The NATO Phonetic Alphabet is used by pilots to communicate clearly with ATC and other pilots. Altimeter – An instrument that measures an object’s altitude above a fixed surface.