French in Radio

[Zatopec]

I recently heard someone suggest that NANRO be renamed IHOLD...lol!

[cpt.sam]

I recently heard someone suggest that NANRO be renamed IHOLD...lol!

hehehe

[cpt.sam]

BENWA
Thank you for seeing the side of the situation that I am trying to shine light on.
I don't know if many of the repliers here know much about ywk, or have ever been there, or maybe they are just misinformed?
One point you did miss.... VFR departures, off 18 when we're all stacked up off the end of 36!
It's bad when the crew speak english, but many use french, and the stack of planes in the hold have no idea where they are.

[Siddley Hawker]

The dumbest thing they ever did in Wabush was move the terminal to the north end of the airport. When it was down the south end you might get a bit of delay on arrival by the guy backtracking what was then 01, but there were minimal delays departing 01. In the summer of 1970 during the QNS&L RR strike WK had a minimum of 35 or 40 flights a day with everything from the Herc to the Argosy to the DC-3. Off the top of my head I can't recall anything other than minor delays. If Bill Crane or John Ford are still around, they can tell you a few tales.

[akoch]

Is this my imagination, or some posts got deleted again here? Those between the 25th and the 29th?

I double-checked, and that appears to be the case. Oh well, any alternative opinion is not welcome here, got it. Well, I am bidding farewell. Thank you guys, cheers.

[ant_321]

I am completely for one language on the radio, as are several French pilots I have flown with who refuse to speak French on the radio because they see it as a safety concern. The situation in YWK is pretty bad and I feel its only a matter of time before there is a mid air collision there. I would suggest everyone learn Klingon as to not hurt one specific group of people's feelings. In reality though, if there were one universal language in aviation that all pilots had to know I wouldn't have taken offence to it regardless what language it was. I would have learned it. I guess such a thing would be next to impossible to implement now. If only it was done 70 years ago.

[TG]

if there were one universal language in aviation that all pilots had to know I wouldn't have taken offence to it regardless what language it was. I would have learned it. I guess such a thing would be next to impossible to implement now. If only it was done 70 years ago.

You may not realize it but English is actually (sort of) implemented worldwide to the majority of the pilot/ATC population who doesn't speak it as mother tongue, and I'm all for it.
I'm saying majority because I do not know about places like Russia or China.

To put it into perspective, only 7 or 8% of the world population speak English as mother tongue.
Some should be humble and realize their luck of not having to learn a second language to do their job properly

[Beefitarian]

To put it into perspective, only 7 or 8% of the world population speak English as mother tongue.
Some should be humble and realize their luck of not having to learn a second language to do their job properly

This is the thing I think is still missed by many. The original thread was a Chinese company looking for someone who could speak the language in order to work there.

Enjoy English while you can people. My kids may need another language to get a decent job once India and China stop bothering to continue using the Honglaise.

[bushhopper]

another drift in Canadian society and pilot world that french language in Canadian aviation is causing is that any french speaking pilot is free to work Canada wide, but good luck getting a job in Quebec as a "regular Canadian pilot" who does not speak French. It is not equal opportunity at all. I also find that CP from Quebec located in other provinces will always hire "their own" first over pilots from other provinces.

Makes me upset that Quebecker play the discrimination and equal opportunity card and absolutely refuse to walk the talk in return. Being a Quebecker pilot is already a bonus as you have 1 extra province to find work in and apply to some airlines that tend to discriminate against none Quebecker like Air Transat and Sunwing. I hope we all can understand the implications and problems this will cause for Canadian culture in the near future. Its cracking us apart. Just look at us arguing online over safety and most in favor totally ignore the safety concerns with bogus claims that situational awareness being limited to controller only is fine. really... speaks volumes about your pilot decision making I guess.

Sooner or later our goverment will change the laws if any mid air collision happen due to language barriers. But why do we have to wait until people die? Ah I get it, that is how change in aviation happens, after dead bodies. I think for the sake of safety we all could speak one language on the radio.

I also find the entire Charter of Quebec Value Hypocritical to this argument.

[Beefitarian]

any french speaking pilot is free to work Canada wide

...Provided they can speak English.

[bushhopper]

any french speaking pilot is free to work Canada wide

...Provided they can speak English.

Barely... is good enough either wise the discrimination card is played.

[Beefitarian]

Barely learn French and rent a place there. They won't check your birth certificate.

[Keenflyer]

The French speaking on the radio is not just limited to Quebec, I heard it from the East right to the middle of the country. Admittedly not much in the Prairies but there was still an odd call. In Quebec when there are 5 or 6 aircraft inbound and in the circuit with 3 or so speaking French tends to make you a bit nervous.

[Panama Jack]

I think that, for better or for worse, French on the airwaves is here to stay in parts of Canada.

Over the last few days I flew into and out of Paris CDG and Air France pilots revert to French-language as soon as they start speaking to French ATC facilities. Am I terribly concerned? No. Nor was I when speaking to Chinese, Turkish or Greek ATC when they speak in their own languages. Is Situational Awareness reduced? Yes, of course.

So why am I not terribly concerned? Well, its because I got TCAS. And I think that these type of devices do a lot more for SA than trying to decipher position reports on radio transmissions. I think that such equipment (along with transponders) should be mandated at least in all bilingual airspace areas.

[TeePeeCreeper]

Dearest Bushopper,

You do know that there are French Canadians all over Canada whom weren't born in the province of Quebec right?

If you'd like to discus double standards how about we discuss the one where as a Canadian citizen I am supost to be able to be recieved and treated in my native tongue (One of our great country's official languages) at any hospital in any province in Canada.
I seriously doubt that my very basic rights as a citizen of our country can be assured.

Dispite this blatant disrespect of my heritage and my chartered right to be served in my own language you have the audacity to insinuate that our fellow collegeues in Quebec benefit from excluding Anglophones from applying for a position with a company based in the province of Quebec?

Gosh, are you really that far of touch with reality? As an Anglophone you are served well in any province. The same can't be said for your fellow breathen who were raised with Canada's other official language.

All the best,
TPC

[bushhopper]

Dear TeePeeCreeper, your expectation is that every other province should provide you services in french while many Quebecker don't speak english? I do not understand your argument. The expectation is that Canada will tailor it's self towards Quebec while Quebec refuses to adapt to Canada?

I think it is much easier and simpler and smarter if Quebecker learns english instead of expecting everyone else to learn french. It is easier to change the few then change the masses. Even if we all other provinces learned french it does not solve the issue that many Quebecker don't speak english. So you are saying you want Canada and all Canadians to speak french because it is your mother Tongue? You want Canada to switch it official language to French? This problem isn't going away until Quebecker become reasonable. Many immigrants in Canada do not use english as mother tongue and do not expect services to be provided in those languages. English is number 1 language in Canada based on population and demographics, and french is number 2 language. It is not even modern french people use in Quebec. Besides politics, and personal reason of Quebec citizens refusing to adapt to Canada, by refusing to learn English and become Canadians, I fail to see one logical argument to even support why Canada should allow french to be spoken on the radio. Safety is always first.

All The best,

[TeePeeCreeper]

Dear TeePeeCreeper, your expectation is that every other province should provide you services in french while many Quebecker don't speak english? I do not understand your argument. The expectation is that Canada will tailor it's self towards Quebec while Quebec refuses to adapt to Canada?

I think it is much easier and simpler and smarter if Quebecker learns english instead of expecting everyone else to learn french. It is easier to change the few then change the masses. Even if we all other provinces learned french it does not solve the issue that many Quebecker don't speak english. So you are saying you want Canada and all Canadians to speak french because it is your mother Tongue? You want Canada to switch it official language to French? This problem isn't going away until Quebecker become reasonable. Many immigrants in Canada do not use english as mother tongue and do not expect services to be provided in those languages. English is number 1 language in Canada based on population and demographics, and french is number 2 language. It is not even modern french people use in Quebec. Besides politics, and personal reason of Quebec citizens refusing to adapt to Canada, by refusing to learn English and become Canadians, I fail to see one logical argument to even support why Canada should allow french to be spoken on the radio. Safety is always first.

All The best,

Dear Bushhopper,

The amount of logical thought or lack there of speaks volumes of the unfortunate ignorance, lack of reading comprehension, or misguided views that have been bestowed upon you.
Your response is worthy of being quoted as it is a beautiful rendition that speaks volumes in regards to how most Anglophone Canadians do not share your views.
You are a minority, and I am grateful to not paint all Canadian Anglophones with the same perverbial "brush".

All the best,
TPC

[bushhopper]

Please speak for yourself luckyboy and thank you for reminding us that there are pilots who will put passangers life at risk for personal rebellious reasons. I agree that is a unprofessional attitude.

College of pilots is another topic, I guess you will not be joining. Lets not bring up Europe or other counties. We are talking about Canada only. I am sure situational awareness could be improved at all international airports.

[Moose47]

G'day

"Back then why would a Russian controller (for example) care if some dude who only spoke and understood English wasn't able to enter Russian controlled airspace?"

Back in the 1950's and 1960's, it was common for foreign commercial aircraft flying into Russia, especially American airlines, to be accompanied by a Russian radio operator or navigator to handle A.T.C. comms.

Cheers...Chris

[Panama Jack]

Back in the 1950's and 1960's, it was common for foreign commercial aircraft flying into Russia, especially American airlines, to be accompanied by a Russian radio operator or navigator to handle A.T.C. comms.

Only for the purpose of ATC communications?

[Moose47]

G'day

"Only for the purpose of ATC communications?"

Well PJ, do I detect a hint of cynicisim? LOL

Of course they soaked in what they could while enboard.

Cheers...Chris