Towards Enhanced Efficiency of Radiotelephony Communication – the Case of Native English Speakers

The paper investigates the current status and challenges in radiotelephony communication, particularly focusing on native English speakers. The research underscores that despite the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establishing standards for radiotelephony communication, miscommunication persists. This is primarily due to non-standard phraseology and varying levels of English proficiency among communicators. This situation has been exacerbated by the evolution of aviation technology and operational complexities, leading to an increase in communication errors during critical phases of flight. Data collected from various aviation operations indicate that the use of colloquial language, rapid speech rates, and ambiguous instructions contribute significantly to misunderstandings between pilots and air traffic controllers, especially when communication takes place between expert speakers and speakers with lower Aviation English proficiency levels. These problems are not merely linguistic but also stem from a lack of standardised training and adherence to communication protocols. To enhance the efficiency of radiotelephony communication, and at the same time the safety of flights, the paper presents recommendations and communication strategies to be employed by native English and expert speakers.