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Vrb controller described multiple events all involving language barriers; noting the standard for pilots language proficiency needs to be tightened to insure safety and clear communications.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 907344 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201009 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | VRB.Tower |
| State Reference | FL |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Descent |
| Route In Use | None |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Local |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Local |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types |
Narrative:
Aircraft reported 3 mile left base; as instructed; and was then instructed to widen out to the west to follow a cirrus on 6 mile final. The pilot mumbled something unintelligible and when questioned as to whether or not he got the instruction again reported on the base. Was again told to widen out to the west to follow traffic. To which he replied that he was on base. I advised that I knew he was on base and I wanted him to widen out as previously instructed. He replied that he was on base as instructed. I then had to tell him to turn right immediately; to avoid imminent conflict with the traffic on final. Once again; no communication with a foreign student pilot due to the fact that he has no idea what I'm telling him. This would be comical if it wasn't for the fact that this was the third such incident in 24 minutes and I was frustrated. I don't understand how this can possibly be acceptable; or safe; because this is a 'training environment'. I'm not buying it.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: VRB Controller described multiple events all involving language barriers; noting the standard for pilots language proficiency needs to be tightened to insure safety and clear communications.
Narrative: Aircraft reported 3 mile left base; as instructed; and was then instructed to widen out to the west to follow a Cirrus on 6 mile final. The pilot mumbled something unintelligible and when questioned as to whether or not he got the instruction again reported on the base. Was again told to widen out to the west to follow traffic. To which he replied that he was on base. I advised that I knew he was on base and I wanted him to widen out as previously instructed. He replied that he was on base as instructed. I then had to tell him to turn right immediately; to avoid imminent conflict with the traffic on final. Once again; no communication with a foreign student pilot due to the fact that he has no idea what I'm telling him. This would be comical if it wasn't for the fact that this was the third such incident in 24 minutes and I was frustrated. I don't understand how this can possibly be acceptable; or safe; because this is a 'training environment'. I'm not buying it.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.