Hi all. I'm wondering if you can clarify something for me.
I know that all pilots and ATCs are required to be fluent in English. What are the requirements in terms of communication in English? Is it that everyone needs to be ABLE to speak English, but if both speak another language they may do so? Or is it that all communication MUST be held in English?
I'm Romanian, and whenever I listen to a feed from Romania I often hear pilots speaking to ATC in Romanian and English. Is it that certain parts of the communication need to be in English? Directions such as speed up, slowing down, ascend, descend, change heading, etc. Do those need to be in English but other communication can be in any language? Or can the pilot and ATC say everything in another language as long as they're able to speak English if and when they need to? What are the rules about that, and what is the common practice (if different from the rules)?