Air Traffic Control - Languages Used??

[Replicant]

I had always thought that the standard international language for Air Traffic Control was English, but I’ve recently discovered that this isn’t entirely true.  I understand that some countries that include France, Spain and Italy (plus far east countries) use their native language to native aircraft at their airports.

This might not be an obviously problem but I watched a programme last night that highlighted an accident at Charles de Gaule (sp?) airport a few years ago.  A British cargo plane was in contact with the tower in English, but the other planes taxiing were speaking in French.  The French speaking plane was cleared to take-off from the main runway at the same as the British plane was cleared to access the main runway.  The British plane obviously didn’t know of any risk since not speaking French were unaware of any confusion regarding the runway (if everyone had been speaking English then they would have realised a problem).  The plane taking off struck the cargo plane and killed the British pilot; the co-pilot was badly injured.  There was no other lives lost.  The co-pilot was then faced with manslaughter charges until they found out it was an ATC error.  Charles de Gaule still use the French language to French aircraft.

So, my question is, are native languages used purely for Ground traffic, or also for Zone, Approach and Departures traffic?

[CyranoAH]

In countries where english is not the native language, OACI specifies that both the home language and english can be used.

Pilots flying within the borders of that country are not required to speak english, but the controllers do.

Daniel

[straffo]

When flying localy we use french.

The reason is simple : it avoid a lot of trouble with peoples speaking badly english.

[Maverick]

Yep it sure avoided a nasty language problem at de guale there didn't it. I bet that co pilot is so happy that he was unable to hear the conflicting instructions were issued in another language than that used for international operations.

Since I use an international airport in the states I am glad that all communications including those involving Mexican registered aircraft are all in English.

ATC DOES screw up at times (being that they are human) and the ability to hear instructions given to other AC are a tool for the pilot to avoid problems. Last month I aborted a take off on runway 21 when I heard another AC was cleared for a short final on runway 11 at the same time. I saw that we were WAY too close for me to continue the take off.

[LLv34 Jarsci]

In Finland Finnish language is used if there isn´t any planes in the air using English RTF . If someone starts using English all will speak English. Reason to switch to English is to avoid dangerous situations where ATC (me for instance... ) screws up and pilots still are aware whats going on because they understand eachother.

Those Sunday pilots in their cessnas can use Finnish all the time, but it requires more attention from us when there is bigger planes in the air at the same time using different language. If we started using English for those private pilots things would get ugly real soon. English RTF rating is not mandatory for private pilots.

[Replicant]

Originally posted by LLv34 Jarsci
In Finland Finnish language is used if there isn´t any planes in the air using English RTF . If someone starts using English all will speak English. Reason to switch to English is to avoid dangerous situations where ATC (me for instance... ) screws up and pilots still are aware whats going on because they understand eachother.

Those Sunday pilots in their cessnas can use Finnish all the time, but it requires more attention from us when there is bigger planes in the air at the same time using different language. If we started using English for those private pilots things would get ugly real soon. English RTF rating is not mandatory for private pilots.

Thanks for all the comments it's been really interesting.  Jarsci, the method used by Finland seems to be the most intelligent use of ATC and I would hope other countries follow suit eventually.

I remember an incident I was involved in where I was in a Land Rover and was given unrestricted access to the entire runway/taxiways.  I was going to enter the main runway when I noticed an aircraft just starting to taxi opposite me and about to enter the main runway at the same point (south side rather than north side) as I was.  Luckily I saw and heard what was going on and stopped to avoid a collision.  It turned out that ATC forgot I was unrestricted and luckily nothing serious happened.  However if it had been in a foreign language and the weather wasn't as clear as it was I may have entered the main runway and collided with this aircraft.

[-tronski-]

Originally posted by Replicant
Thanks for all the comments it's been really interesting.  Jarsci, the method used by Finland seems to be the most intelligent use of ATC and I would hope other countries follow suit eventually.

I remember an incident I was involved in where I was in a Land Rover and was given unrestricted access to the entire runway/taxiways.  I was going to enter the main runway when I noticed an aircraft just starting to taxi opposite me and about to enter the main runway at the same point (south side rather than north side) as I was.  Luckily I saw and heard what was going on and stopped to avoid a collision.  It turned out that ATC forgot I was unrestricted and luckily nothing serious happened.  However if it had been in a foreign language and the weather wasn't as clear as it was I may have entered the main runway and collided with this aircraft.

How big an airfield was that replicant?

At sydney you don't need ground permission to enter taxiways (unless RVR conditions) assuming of course you have at least a cat3 ADA, but you always need to request to enter the runway strip for crossings or inspections. I've never heard at sydney uncontrolled access to runways even after curfew unless the runway you were entering was closed.

O/T generally most international aircrews from non-speaking english countries I've heard on ops radios are fairly good...but I have certainly heard the tower struggle with instructions with a few barely fluent aircrews.

 Tronsky

[newtype]

I thought french was the comon international language.

[montag]

Originally posted by newtype
I thought french was the comon international language.

Yeah, if your a fancy chef or something.

[airbumba]

We use both official languages here.

[Replicant]

Originally posted by -tronski-
How big an airfield was that replicant?

At sydney you don't need ground permission to enter taxiways (unless RVR conditions) assuming of course you have at least a cat3 ADA, but you always need to request to enter the runway strip for crossings or inspections. I've never heard at sydney uncontrolled access to runways even after curfew unless the runway you were entering was closed.

O/T generally most international aircrews from non-speaking english countries I've heard on ops radios are fairly good...but I have certainly heard the tower struggle with instructions with a few barely fluent aircrews.

 Tronsky

It's a RAF airfield that's base to three squadrons of Harriers - they obviously use the main runway (05/23 - 9000ft) plus there's four vertical landing (VL) pads just off the northern taxiway (they hover over the northern on deceleration; northern also an option) and then there is a smaller 09/27 strip which if in use they use the southern taxiway they decel over on approach.  

I was unrestricted since I was on the northern taxiway (considered an active strip) and wanting to cross two VL pads and then the main runway - I was working in ATC as an assistant and was transporting some ILS technicians.