Aviation language problem: improving pilot-controller communication

From time to time we have had news of airplane crashes the causes of which were breakdown in communication between the pilot and the control tower. We cite here representative examples from a proffered list of 35 such crashes which occurred between 1971 and 2002. There have been a great many more near-accidents, incidents that might have resulted in fatalities, but that we \´lucked out\´ in one way or another. After noting the officialization of English for world aviation in 1951, the contribution of language confusion to pilot" errors is described. Symptoms of miscommunication are listed. Crashes in which miscommunication was a contributing factor are cited. Examples of the standard phraseology of the FAA, as used by air traffic controllers in the United States, and those stipulated by ICAO2 for international use, are analyzed for confusing elements. These include ambiguities, misnomers, and illogicalities. The problem is further compounded by the inconsistencies between these two standards. Airplane pilots sometimes must make serious split-second decisions, so any possible confusion can lead to disaster. Therefore every effort must be made to eliminate all possible sources of confusion. We have here a list of successive steps of corrective action that can produce surprising results, at minimal cost.