Non-standard phraseology and local pilots’ use of languages other than standard aviation English “routinely” cause misunderstandings in radio communication between pilots and air traffic controllers — difficulties that raise concerns even though they are rarely cited as causal or contributing factors in aviation accidents and incidents, according to a study of aviation phraseology.
The study — conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in collaboration with the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) and the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) — cited “ambiguity in general aviation language” and the use of slang instead of standard phraseology as leading factors in increasing the likelihood of communication errors.
Other problems included the “rate of speech delivery” — typically, a pilot or controller speaking too quickly to be understood — and the accents and pronu…
