LOT pilots' poor English almost led to crash

[KeithMEL]

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...cle4116523.ece

A Polish airliner came within seconds of colliding with another plane near Heathrow because its pilots had such poor English that they could not understand basic instructions from air traffic controllers. The Lot Boeing 737, carrying 95 passengers and crew, wandered the skies for almost half an hour as the pilots struggled to identify their position. A controller had to instruct another aircraft to change direction to avoid a collision.

Yikes...

[otnaicus]

Wow... I wouldn't want to be on that airplane....

[Guy Betsy]

Wow... I wouldn't want to be on that airplane....

You might be... cos aren't they part of *A?

[up and away]

They are indeed!

[Dynasty]

The airline should organise a special English tutorial class for the pilots whose English is below standard. Ha ... Ha...

[wsssaero]

In Singapore domestic workers have to pass an English test to be allowed to work here. They should do the same for pilots

[inix]

In Singapore domestic workers have to pass an English test to be allowed to work here. They should do the same for pilots

Sadly, its only for domestic helpers. I would wish they would extend this to every foreign worker in this country.

[Greatfox]

correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't English the international language of air traffic control? so it's almost a necessity to be able to speak it...

[Lobster]

correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't English the international language of air traffic control? so it's almost a necessity to be able to speak it...

It is the agreed standard language but it is not compulsory to use it. So for example French ATC will quite often speak to French pilots in French. Also there is no minimum standard so in reality a number of Pilots and ATCers have very limited English.

[up and away]

It is the agreed standard language but it is not compulsory to use it. So for example French ATC will quite often speak to French pilots in French. Also there is no minimum standard so in reality a number of Pilots and ATCers have very limited English.

Yes but the airlines still have to care about the language skills of their pilots- I mean after all most of LOT's routes will end up in countries where most ATC controllers don't speak the Polish language!