Effective Communication

from the controller’s report

Aircraft Number 2 was cleared to land on Runway 18 right. Aircraft Number 1 (a foreign carrier) was told to, “Taxi into position on Runway 27 and hold. Traffic landing Runway 18Right.” Upon issuing a wind check, I realized that aircraft Number 1 had a seven knot tailwind. I asked if the wind was going to be a problem. He acknowledged with his call sign for what I thought was receipt of my transmission, but then he throttled up and started the departure roll. Aircraft Number 2 was over the numbers on flare. I attempted to cancel the takeoff roll and then proceeded to send aircraft Number 2 around. By the time aircraft Number 2 reached the crossing intersection, he was approximately 400 feet AGL and aircraft Number 1 was approximately 200 feet off his right, approaching rotation speed.

I believe that language was the problem. After reviewing the tapes, I do not see how my question of the tailwind component was misunderstood as, “Cleared for takeoff”.... I guess the pilot figured that since he was in position and hold on the runway that my next transmission to him would be a takeoff clearance.

 65 Exercise 4

Recommendations for pilots and controllers

There are several barriers to effective communications: different cultures, different mother tongue, noise, stress, high workload. In these situations communication requires greater effort. To increase communication reliability, use readback and hearback in ATC communications.

1. Pilots and controllers should make a conscious effort to use standard phraseology in all ATC communications.

2. Controllers need to provide clear instructions and messages, and pilots need to ask for clarifications if there is any confusion or opportunity for misinterpretation.

3. Do not make ambiguous transmissions.

4. Watch out for numbers. Include key words (an altitude, heading, airspeed) in any message containing a number to indicate what the number refers.

5. Never assume. Ensure you understand all information.

6. Keep communication concise and clear.

Explicit instructions by controllers, complete readback by pilots and active listening by controllers to pilots’ readbacks are the best defense against miscommunication.

 66 Exercise 5

Linguistic problems of aviation english

As investigations show, communication error is one of the most frequently cited reasons for incidents. Pilots and controllers must be aware of common types of linguistic problems to avoid introducing them into ATC communication.

Problems can arise from ambiguity: the presence in a word or phrase of more than one possible meaning or interpretation. Word ambiguity can be a reason for linguistic-based incidents. For example, in aviation parlance hold always means to stop what you are now doing. But in ordinary English hold can also mean to continue what you are now doing (as in “hold your course”). Santa Anna California incident in the United States was caused by ambiguity of the word hold.

Another linguistic problem of Aviation English is homophony: the occurrence of different words that sound almost alike or exactly alike, such as to (preposition) and two (number). The latter misunderstanding actually led to a fatal accident at a southeast Asian airport Kuala-Lumpur (Phrase “Descend two four zero zero”).

Controllers and pilots should anticipate and be ready for the situations when confusion may occur.

An emergency puts language under great pressure. When people panic, speech can go haywire. Many airlines insist now that applicants should already have excellent English at the interview stage. They have to sit an exam which tests speaking, hearing and written skills. If a pilot only has the technical jargon, not the ordinary language, he can flounder in an emergency. In the teaching of English for special purposes a basic assumption should be always made that the student already has a grounding in general English, and is just adding on a specialism – in our case Aviation English.

Good knowledge of general and Aviation English will prevent linguistic confusion and ensure effective communication and aviation safety

 67 Exercise 6