Any questions in French during the AC Interview?

[mountaindog]

The committee pressed him to hire only pilots from Quebec, as long as they met the minimum qualifications.

Here's a good question.............WHY???!@#$

[Jaques Strappe]

....

The difference Bic, is that everyone else in the world is required to speak English. They may at times speak their local language but at anytime, the conversation can be switched to English. That is a licensing requirement.

I am not so sure about that Jacques Strappe....i have heard that a lot of pilots don't speak english. Cargair does IFR training for chinese pilot and they first have to take english course because they only speak chinese. I went to Moscow and the Clr.del. was barely able to speak english and in Russia, you need a translator in the cockpit when you fly to a lot of airports. You don't need one when you fly in Quebec......
I understand your point when you say that Quebecers don't need to speak english for their licence and in other country, conversation can be switched to english but they are still using their language and what kind of english would that be..... Fly in mexico and the only english you will hear will be from American or Canadian so when people say that Quebec is the worst place the fly, the most dangerous place, well i don't buy that....ATC do a really good job and we just have to fellow their instructions...that is private 101. Also, those guys from LaTuque who only speak french won't be flying at FL350..They will stay low flying from lake to lake.
I don't want to start a war, just want to give my opinion...

Bic

I don't really want to argue the point as it will get us nowhere. I do understand what you are saying, however, I have flown in Mexico, Europe, ( both Eastern and Western ) Japan, Korea, South America and the Middle East. Accents may be thick but communication is there. In all of these countries I have heard most of the ATC communication being spoken in English. That is why it is considered the "Internation Language of Aviation" I am not talking about private pilots in the local pattern but within IFR Centers. I have heard french being spoken within France's airspace for instance but believe it or not, they were the minority. ( and they understood what was being said in English )

ALPA has made many formal complaints with regard to the loss of situational awareness of American pilots operating within the YUL FIR mainly because information is not passed along. You are right, YUL ATC does do a good job working within two languages but I am sure that adds to the possibility of a mistake being made.

Arguing the point is pointless however as nothing is going to change the current situation. As for needing to speak french in an Air Canada interview, there is no requirement. On a personal note, I believe that Canada should be bilingual from coast to coast which would alleviate all this language stuff. However, even if that were the case, Quebec would still find something else to complain about. Just my opinion. ( and I respect yours ) And why do Francophone pilots alert the FA's in both English and French prior to takeoff? Is that for all the FA's who don't speak English?

[pinkus]

Here's my take.

Bilingual conversation on 126.7, MF's and YUL ATC likely do not enhance safety. I have flown in these and my lack of french speaking ability makes me feel less situationally aware. On the flip side, it is easier for some francophone pilots to speak their native tounge. I understand that that is an issue for them, but as a whole, the bigger threat is everyones loss of situational awareness. The ideal would be a francophone pilot using english, and if needed, asking for clarification in his/her native tounge.

The language thing is a challenge in different parts of the world. I have found the same problems in Mexico. It is a lonely feeling only hearing english when you are spoken to.

TC and ICAO are already on to this.

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Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPAs)

Personnel Licensing and Training
Technical Committee Meeting (March 31, 2005)
Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA 2005-006)

Reference / référence:


NPA 2005-006
422.03, Licences (1) (b) (iii), (iv), (v)

English Title / titre anglais:


ICAO language Amendment 164

French Title / titre francais:


Amendement 164 de l’OACI relatif aux compétences linguistiques

Sponsor / Initiateur de l’APM:


Michel Claude

Language (E – F)


Both
Les eux

Issue / Objet:

This NPA is being presented to comply with ICAO's amendment 164 to the Annex 1 of the International Standards and Recommended Practices which introduces new requirements for proficiency in languages used for radiotelephony communications

Justification for Change / Justification de la modification:

Amendment 164 introduces new requirements in Annex 1, Appendix for proficiency in languages used for radiotelephony communications.

Contracting States are asked to take the necessary steps to ensure that air traffic control personnel and flight crews involved in flight operations in airspace where the use of the English language is required, shall demonstrate the ability to speak and understand the language used for radiotelephony communications.

Changes are required to comply with paragraph 1.2.9.4 which requires a demonstration of proficiency for all air traffic control and aeronautical station operators beginning March 05, 2008 and to the proficiency level indicated in the Appendix.

English or English and French proficiency is required for licensing issues.

References to language are no longer required in the knowledge section of the Licence as it will now be addressed as a Rating. All references to language have been deleted.

So my question is this. How are they going to ensure this? Is this another company exam?