Foreign pilots learning to fly in Australia - Is it a safety risk?

Has the influx of foreign student pilots into Australia caused a degradation in safety due to poor communication and English language skills? Australia's 'Today Tonight' reports.

Unfortunately, this short segment doesn't address the countless industry concerns and does not include the direct opinions of pilots or ATC. Read more at www.flight.org .

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• aviation
• flight
• training
• flight training
• communication
• atc
• safety
• indian
• chinese

[bruzcuz1]

far out - this is today tonight - a xenophobic Australian show. absolutely no credibility!

this show is just designed for everyone to get afraid.

being an Australian i am extremely embarrassed!

[yoursumashankar]

I have IELTS overall score of 7. The Australian Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) must be given training on how to communicate properly and clearly. They seems to be speaking too fast in Oz English as if they are talking to a friend or neighbour. The flying schools must only accept all students (Local and Foreign), who score more than 6.5 in IELTS. Also the schools must train the students in 'Flying Language' skills before the flying lessons. Just blaming overseas students in an easy excuse.

[Fokkernadel]

I've learned British English at school and American English in the airforce. But Australian English seems to be funny: never heard "a bang" before ;) Is that correct English or something like Australian slang? I know "abeam", but "a bang" is the sound of an explosion for me ;)

ATC should use common phrases all around the world and should speak clear, loud and not to fast. Then it should be no problem from where you are or in which airspace you are flying.

Toefl and other courses are fine if you

[amdsasr3]

pfffft today tonight dont know shit..... people that know aviation especially out of morrabbin, know other pilots intentions.... fucken media gaylords....

[humsish]

I am an international student who are about to do my commercial pilot licence training.I can speak a bloody perfect english and I can communicate perfectly,so today tonight just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!!

[njstobie]

they show footage of the bloke when he's on the ground, but play audio of his landing clearance at the same time (which he would have received when he was on approach). Then, like they said, several minutes later, but only moments after he's landed, they play the reminder request to expedite vacation from the runway. its not the student misunderstanding, rather a controller just being thorough. just another example of today tonight taking things out of context

[appleglory]

@darrenbennett44 Cool story mate

[darrenbennett44]

@appleglory "Well buddy I happen to have a PPL with a MEIR, with a CPL in a month."

Wow, a PPL with a MECIR, now who's the most dangerous person in the sky?

[darrenbennett44]

@appleglory no not racist, just trying to explain the trend of constant near misses.

and since you asked, im all that shit you bragged about and also an instructor.

[appleglory]

@darrenbennett44 Well buddy I happen to have a PPL with a MEIR, with a CPL in a month. So yes, technically student pilot, but still a qualified pilot. what are you? a racist prick?

[darrenbennett44]

@appleglory Occupation:

Student Pilot... need i say more.