Two Languages...

[jrpilot]

Is it required..or more proper for a commercial pilot to understand 2 (two) languages....I know English is the Primary Language of aviaiton.... I am half fluent in Spanish...

[Staiduk]

English is, as you say, the primary lanuage and is used in all commercial ops to the best of my knowledge. Having other languages may be helpful on a resume; and of course its wise to speak the native language of the country you're in, but as for the commercial flight aspect; it's English.
Or at least that odd substitute for English they use in the States.  ;D

[beaky]

Or at least that odd substitute for English they use in the States.  ;D

Yo, Zuppwiddat?!>:(

[ozzy72]

Aye another language is v.useful, in the States Spanish is probably the best to have, in Europe French or German tend to be the most popular.
If you have to fly in France its a good idea to speak French as their ATC tend to switch to French just to annoy pilots. Quite a few accidents have been caused this way Oddly enough in FS all my near misses have been in French airspace. Flight Simulator, as real as it gets

[beaky]

Yes, I've heard this problem is common, and not just in France. When ATC hears a native accent, they'll switch to the local tongue. Nice for that pilot, but bad for everyone else who doesn't know that language yet has to listen in order to maintain "the big picture".
 I can understand a little resentment at being forced to learn another language for work, but that's the way it is. Maybe they should've gone with Esperanto or something so nobody would feel imposed-upon.
And were I making a trip to a foreign-language country or getting paid to fly there regularly, I'd probably learn a few key sentences in that tongue- such as, "knock it off; you're supposed to speak English on this freq!"

[Staiduk]

Aye another language is v.useful, in the States Spanish is probably the best to have, in Europe French or German tend to be the most popular.
If you have to fly in France its a good idea to speak French as their ATC tend to switch to French just to annoy pilots. Quite a few accidents have been caused this way Oddly enough in FS all my near misses have been in French airspace. Flight Simulator, as real as it gets

Funny you should say that. That happens occasionally in Quebec as well; where (with respect to Quebecers) they sometimes try to be Frencher than the French. Friend of mine went in his Seminole up to Quebec once and on the return wound up sitting on the ramp while 7-8 aircraft were cleared past him. Jim (who speaks French) heard this:
ATC cleared an aircraft for takeoff in French. Aircraft responds "Cleared for takeoff. Something wrong with that twin?" ATC responded "No - we're just having fun with the Anglo."  :-/

[jrpilot]

[quote]

Funny you should say that. That happens occasionally in Quebec as well; where (with respect to Quebecers) they sometimes try to be Frencher than the French. Friend of mine went in his Seminole up to Quebec once and on the return wound up sitting on the ramp while 7-8 aircraft were cleared past him. Jim (who speaks French) heard this:
ATC cleared an aircraft for takeoff in French. Aircraft responds "Cleared for takeoff. Something wrong with that twin?" ATC responded "No - we're just having fun with the Anglo."

[C]

Pretty rude...I think in that situation...I would just talk off....

I'd quite possibly go and see the supervisor/chappy in the tower and let him listen to my views for a moment or to (in the civvy world) and remind him what the purpose of his job was...

In English of course

[beefhole]

I'va actually heard it's downright dangerous to fly to China (and some other Asian countries) without knowing the local language, because most of their controllers speak English terribly.

[Saratoga]

I can vouch for that, some places it is suicide to fly in almost. Especially if you're in a country where the people not only speak English horribly, but they give your altitudes in meters. Then you'll ask a question and they'll respond in some random tounge.

I'll tell you Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico are both destinations I end up in a lot, and their controllers are wonderfully fluent in English. Cozumel for example, I have actually heard Mexican controllers who don't speak Spanish. It is good to know Spanish just incase down there, I am semi fluent, mostly aviation terms, and have translated for people before. But down there those guys are awesome. They are like "American 5281, you're cleared for takeoff, contact Cozumel Departure on...uh, 123.1, good day, sir." Airline pilot heaven hah.

If you fly in some foreign countries, the airline may ask that you read your flight announcements in the foreign language, but it's usually written down and you just kinda butcher through it.

[Ivan]

Russia is simple: russian navigator or no go

[C]

Hard luck if you're solo...

[Saratoga]

Yup, solo over Russia = screwed