I had heard at some point that English was the standard language for air traffic control.
But since I've been listening here, I notice that this isn't necessarily true. Air France pilots talk to the Paris controllers in French. Same situation in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.
As someone with an interest in foreign languages and language interaction, I'm curious if this ever presents issues.
Any comments? Anecdotes? Anything about the subject in general?
Thanks.
<insert random Boston John anectode here>
Seriously though, I've read about this too, but you have to wonder about how it is at airports in countries where English isn't the primary language. I know that some places this is accepted, let alone the norm. But there has always been the debate that English is the only language used in ATC, or that the best language for the situation should be used, otherwise, English. I'd love to hear an answer from the source.
As far as what I've heard at KLAS, there was a controller there at the ATCT who would, when a foreign carrier checked in on final, identify himself, and said 'Good morning/Good Afternoon/Good Evening' in the carrier's (pilot's) native language; such as "Aeromexico 6442, Las Vegas Tower, buenos tardes..." Then everything else was in English.
So it really all depends, and it would help to know if any controllers from outside the US are here and could give their insight to this too.
BL.