But in her new book Aviation English, Dr. Estival warns that some terms commonly used have
been misunderstood, with fatal consequences.

Miscommunication has contributed to the deaths of more than 2,000 people killed in plane
crashes since the mid-1970s up until 2011.

Since radio communication is the primary communication between air traffic controllers and
pilots, effective communication “is crucial for aviation safety.”

“The study of aviation communication sheds light on our understanding of English and
differences between native English speakers and speakers of English as a second language in
high-risk situations,” Dr. Estival said. “Effective communication is paramount in ensuring the
success of the global aviation industry.”

“While in plain English, ‘we’re running out of fuel’ may sound like a declaration of emergency,
in the context of controller-pilot communications, where there is specifically prescribed
phraseology for the declaration of an emergency, this statement would not be interpreted as
such,” Dr. Estival said.

The statement could, and apparently was, interpreted as a mere concern and not an emergency
situation. The plane crashed after running out of fuel.

Dr. Estival said other examples included:

• The incorrect use of the words “inbound” and “outbound.”
• Saying “no” instead of “negative” or “yes” instead of “affirmative.
• Failure to use correct number terms, such as “niner” for nine.

Not knowing or using the correct terminology or phraseology can be just as deadly as using non-aviation terms.

Plane crashes where poor communication may have contributed to disaster:

• Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977): Dutch-speaking pilot’s lack of English proficiency
• Avianca Flight 52 (1990): Did not declare an emergency when reporting running out of
  fuel.
• Linate Airport Disaster (2001): Poor radio communication led to a Citation taxing across
  an active runway and a departing MD-80 colliding with the jet.
• Dan Air Flight 1008 (1980): The pilot appears to have mistaken “inbound” for
  “outbound” and flew in the wrong direction.
• American Airlines Flight 965 (1995): An air traffic controller’s lack of English
  proficiency.

In almost all aspects of life, confidence is a key to success. Confidence allows people to navigate the world with certainty in their decisions. But it’s not easy being a capable and safe pilot; it takes many years for us to be genuinely confident in our flying choices. Thanks to the internet and LiveATC, many of us are faking it. We don’t know what we’re doing.

I have often heard the saying, “Fake it until you make it.” In aviation, faking it until you make it may be your last act on earth.