I think most of us are aware that English has been the recomended language for pilots and ATC since after WWII. What I just realized today however, is that it's still not mandatory for pilots even though 15% of air crashes are caused by pilot error.
Here's a quote from the most recent policy (http://www.icao.int/anb/icaoimojwg/meetings/jwg9/3-5.pdf):
10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
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As you can see above, English is still not compulsory for aeronautical communication today. The link above is fascinating.
Here's a quote from the most recent policy (http://www.icao.int/anb/icaoimojwg/meetings/jwg9/3-5.pdf):
1.2.9 Language Proficiency
1.2.9.1 Flight crews, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators shall demonstrate
the ability to speak and understand the language normally used for radiotelephony
communications.
1.2.9.2 As of 1 January 2008, flight crews, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station
operators shall demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for
radiotelephony communications to the level specified in the language proficiency requirements in
the Appendix.
1.2.9.3
1.2.9.1 Flight crews, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators shall demonstrate
the ability to speak and understand the language normally used for radiotelephony
communications.
1.2.9.2 As of 1 January 2008, flight crews, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station
operators shall demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for
radiotelephony communications to the level specified in the language proficiency requirements in
the Appendix.
1.2.9.3
[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]Recommendation[/FONT][/FONT].. [FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]Flight crews, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station
operators should demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for
radiotelephony communications to the level specified in the language proficiency requirements in
the Appendix[/FONT][/FONT].
1.2.9.4 As of 1 January 2008, the language proficiency of flight crews, air traffic controllers
and aeronautical station operators required to communicate in a language other than a mother
tongue or native language shall be formally evaluated at intervals in accordance with an
individual.s demonstrated proficiency level.
1.2.9.5 [FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]Recommendation[/FONT][/FONT]..[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]The language proficiency of flight crews, air traffic controllers
and aeronautical station operators required to communicate in a language other than a mother
tongue or native language should be formally evaluated at intervals in accordance with an
individual.s demonstrated proficiency level, as follows:
a) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Operational Level (Level 4) should
be evaluated at intervals not greater than three years;
b) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Extended Level (Level 5) should be
evaluated at intervals not greater than six years; and
c) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Expert Level (Level 6) should be
exempt from further language evaluation.
Note..The language to be used for radiotelephony communications is specified in Annex
operators should demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for
radiotelephony communications to the level specified in the language proficiency requirements in
the Appendix[/FONT][/FONT].
1.2.9.4 As of 1 January 2008, the language proficiency of flight crews, air traffic controllers
and aeronautical station operators required to communicate in a language other than a mother
tongue or native language shall be formally evaluated at intervals in accordance with an
individual.s demonstrated proficiency level.
1.2.9.5 [FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Bold]Recommendation[/FONT][/FONT]..[FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic][FONT=TimesNewRoman,Italic]The language proficiency of flight crews, air traffic controllers
and aeronautical station operators required to communicate in a language other than a mother
tongue or native language should be formally evaluated at intervals in accordance with an
individual.s demonstrated proficiency level, as follows:
a) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Operational Level (Level 4) should
be evaluated at intervals not greater than three years;
b) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Extended Level (Level 5) should be
evaluated at intervals not greater than six years; and
c) those demonstrating language proficiency at the Expert Level (Level 6) should be
exempt from further language evaluation.
Note..The language to be used for radiotelephony communications is specified in Annex
10, Volume II, Chapter 5.
[/FONT][/FONT]
As you can see above, English is still not compulsory for aeronautical communication today. The link above is fascinating.
