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Air traffic control radiotelephony safety: Investigating the English second language users’ perspective

Radiotelephony between air traffic controllers and pilots utilises standard
phraseology as the medium of communications. Standard phraseology
employs specific structure, terminology and pronunciation to ensure
effectiveness and accuracy. On occasions when standard phraseology is found
insufficient, plain language is used to efficiently relay vital information. By
default, English is the designated language of communication between
controllers and pilots of international flights. Deviations from the usage of
standard phraseology and lack of language proficiency had been identified as
one of the causal factors in safety occurrences. Language deficiencies,
specifically of the non-native speakers of the English language, had raised
much concern but there is limited information in the area.
This research attempted to fill a small segment of this knowledge gap. It was
focussed on the usage of standard phraseology and English language in an air
traffic control environment involving English Second Language users. Audio
data was sourced from routine radiotelephony recordings of ‘live’ air traffic
control facilities in Malaysia to capture realistic communications between
controllers and pilots in the Terminal Approach Radar, Area Radar and
Aerodrome Control environments. A detailed cross sectional investigation of
the radiotelephony characteristics, deficiencies and errors of transmitted
messages revealed the radiotelephony performances of controllers and pilots in
the environments. The recurrence of deviations from standards and occurrence
of errors implied the likelihood of such deficiencies taking place. Demographic
groups’ descriptions complemented the radiotelephony analyses as background
information on language related training. The results were comparative to other
similar studies and offered new information on English Second Language
speakers in the Air Traffic Control environment.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:CRANFIELD1/oai:dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk:1826/2697
Date10 1900
CreatorsMohd, Noorlinah G.
ContributorsBraithwaite, Graham R., Brooker, Peter
PublisherCranfield University
Source SetsCRANFIELD1
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or dissertation, Doctoral, PhD
Rights© Cranfield University 2007. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder.

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