Although the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) campaign for proficiency in aviation English singled out radio communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, this is not the only area where those in the industry need to speak a common language.
While pilot and controller communication is the most visible, the most easily analyzed, and often the most dramatic aspect of language use in aviation, a more thorough review reveals that, speaking, listening, reading and even writing proficiency is required for a wide-ranging array of other important language tasks associated with aviation operations (see “Roles of English in Aviation”).
The English language threads its way into nearly every aspect of training, operations and maintenance. Checklists and procedural manuals are most often published in English and read aloud on flight decks during normal flight, as well as in abnormal or emergency situations. Maintenance records often are compiled in Englis…
