Poor English-Language Skills Among Pilots Risking Safety of Passengers

A study by Dr. Barbara Clark found that standards of proficiency are below par among some pilots.

The safety of passengers is being compromised due to poor standards of English among some foreign-language speaking pilots, an independent report has found. The study, commissioned by the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the country’s civil aviation regulator, and funded by the nation’s Department for Transport, found that, in some cases, proficiency is well below international standards.

The study by Dr. Barbara Clark, a linguist and anthropologist who specializes in aviation communication and safety at London’s Queen Mary University, also uncovered “alleged evidence of cheating,” the Telegraph reports. In this instance, a test candidate passed a language examination after only ten days of study.

The paper reports that the research examined a total of 267 incidents involving miscommunication, 89 of which happened in the United Kingdom. In one instance, the report cites language difficulties for an incident in which a plane taxied onto a runway without correct ground clearance.

Dr. Clark’s report also indicated that some pilots operating within the United Kingdom’s airspace “appear to lack the minimum proficiency in English.” Despite industry standards relating to English proficiency being enforced since back in 2008, the study also found that some air traffic controllers operating outside of Britain don’t necessarily have sufficient language skills to communicate with pilots.

According to the paper, the report also made clear that “language-related miscommunication issues are as important to aviation safety as any other issue.” Dr. Clark’s work also suggested that more spot checks be carried out in terms of language proficiency, with a view to ensuring that both pilots and air traffic controllers can use the correct aviation terminology.

The Department for Transport said that it was discussing the findings of the report with the CAA, which, in turn, is liaising with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on the matter.

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