Do all pilots have to speak English?

[LHR]

Just wondering. Came across the recent story about Polish pilots who almost crashed their plane because they couldn't communicate adequately with Heathrow control tower. Is there much verbal communication between pilots and air-control, or is it mostly computerised nowadays? Is English the official language of air travel?

[hofo_mofo]

I thought as a result of the Tenerife disaster English was a requirement (or stressed highly that you must be able to use/understand common English phrases for air traffic)

Oddly enough though, when I "tap" in to Montreal's ATC frequency (via a website that is), they use French much more than English. I don't know however who initiates contact first; the pilot or the controller?

[up and away]

Standart language for aviation purposes is English. However, if you're in a country that have other official languages tower& cockpit can agree to communicate in another language.

[SQ333]

In order to complete the previous message the official ICAO languages are English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese.



Laurent

[mr_botak]

You may find this interesting....

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...h_proficiency/

Recently led to anyone wishing to use their FAA licence internationally needing to order a new certificate in order to comply.