What language do all pilots have to speak?

Answer: The international language of aviation is English. In most places, the pilots and air traffic controllers have demonstrated the ability to speak and understand English up to a level specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).



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The globally agreed pilot language in international aviation is English. In addition, there are numerous Anglicisms that have also found their way into the German radio language.

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Aviators often speak “pilot English” to avoid miscommunications over radio transmission. “Tree” for instance, means three, “fife” is the number five and “niner” means nine, says Tom Zecha, a manager at AOPA.

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How many languages do pilots need to know? As a general rule, all pilots are required to know English. It is the international language of aviation, and should be used during all formal communications between aircraft and other aircraft or aircraft and air traffic controllers.

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After departure or while approaching an airport, pilots talk to TRACON controllers. TRACON stands for Terminal Radar Approach Control. These voices quickly become familiar to pilots as well. There are also ARTCC controllers, or Air Route Traffic Control Center controllers.

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The aim was to help avoid misunderstanding and confusion over the radio and between international crews. Although air travel is now much more widespread, with many non-English speaking countries participating in air transportation, English still persists as the language of the skies.

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Pilots mostly pronounce numbers as in regular English but with a few exceptions. Zero (0) is always “zero,” not “oh.” Three (3) becomes “tree.” Five (5) becomes “fife.” Nine (9) becomes “niner.”

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The word heavy means a larger aircraft type, with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 160 tonnes or more. These aircraft create wake turbulence from their wings and require extra separation between following aircraft, and the use of heavy reminds other pilots of that fact.

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Roger simply means you have received the transmission. In other words, Roger is an acknowledgement of a transmission. Wilco is rarely used, but it means you have received the message and will comply, some old pilots combine the two in the redundant Roger wilco.

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Pan-Pan, short for “possible assistance needed,” is used to communicate an urgent, but not emergency, situation over VHF radio, in the case of aviation, to air traffic control. Examples could include a recreational pilot getting lost, or perhaps needing to climb to a higher altitude to sort a problem out.

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