ATC@JFK - Air China 981

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[@AviationNut]

The Chinese pilot said okay i'll hold here till November.

[@CaptAviator]

As a flight instructor I had a Japanese student and this was exactly how our exchanges would go. Sometimes I would have to repeat a question 10 times because he kept thinking it was an instruction. This brought back memories....of me banging my head against the instrument panel!

[@jasonkrines1648]

This is the funniest air traffic control pilot communication to this day

[@Ichinin]

This gets funnier, and scarier, every time i listen to it :o)

[@skysnet]

@Milkablablabla because we invented the system. whoever makes the game, also makes the rules. had china came up with international language or even aviation regulations prior to US, then we would be talking Chinese too.

[@ronin730]

@anorak2 Airchina981 is in US airspace, so technically the pilot in command must obey ATC in the correct language.

[@marty2704]

Ok, ramp to the ramp !! ^^

[@johnswoboda2986]

Controller should have rephrased the question. Makes no sense to ask the same way over and over again when you know that the pilot is struggling with language. ATC should have asked: "Aircraft, Question. You cleared for ramp? Yes or No?"

[@cumhumphr]

@anorak2 That's why to fly in the United States, ENGLISH PROFICIENCY is required to be on everyone's licences.

[@NYCEmpire]

Remember, the pilots will obviously be from all backgrounds due to the nature of flight (international travel). Even with English as a standard, not all pilots will be clear spoken. ATC realises that if they misunderstand a comment and taxi because they think it's permission granted, it runs a risk of collision. That's why it's a stressful job. Humans may crack under pressure.

[@shivrajvishnu]

Wow they are able to fly into International airports, putting passengers on risk.

[@notafanboy250]

I hear you man. I taught both Japanese and Chinese students. They couldn't understand basic questions/commands from ATC. It took a while before I let them solo.

[@emanwingnut]

0:16 "...hold shit..."

[@redshirt49]

@OmsoiTekken He made it perfectly clear. He followed all of the guidelines for communication, the Air China Pilot clearly had limited knowledge of it. It is understandable he got a little unsettled because if the Air China machine had messed up, he might have been stuck with the blame.

[@MrTiti]

The Air Traffic Controller is NOT a teamplayer. Controllers service aircraft. The pilot obviously has a serious problem with his concentration. no matter why - exhaustment, sudden medical issue, whatever- the way the Controller reacts is not constructive. He is not poised / souvereign

[@krsans78]

I just simply love this recording! Its some funny stuff :D

[@Atatakaidan]

chopin - even though the Ground Controller may have been a bit "short" with 981's crew, it is the responsibility of all international pilots AND ATC to speak at least at Level 4 ability when at their respective jobs. Sadly, it is up to the individual countries to decide what each level means. It is possible, then, that a Level 4 of Japan and China are two different ability levels... and it is quite different.

[@dogsofwarclan]

yes and this particular 747 has a capacity of 556 passanger and thats only china981 there are more planes driving around landing taking off so thats alot of people.

[@Quinn509]

techinically, this pilot is not in charge, the Captain is. That pilot would not be the Captain, he would be the First Officer. First Officers always handle the radio.

[@niteshadeLI]

@highflyer19 i work atc. multiply this situation x20 with lack of the language creates this kind of frustration. remember that one pilot in this situation can create a huge problem for all other aircraft including loss of life if he crosses a runway that an aircraft is landing/taking off on.

[@marty2704]

That's right ^^. Well, just like i said: One of them flies, the other one talks on the radio and monitors the one flying. (That could be the captain as well) Once they commence another flight, it is quite common, that they then swap (change) tasks. Regards, marty

[@QiuyuanChenRyan916]

I wouldn's say this is a simple problem. English is an Important language now. MA=Noverber? I can't understand. I am not a pilot, I can understand the tower. I just don't understand why the pilot said he need to couch the plane on the right place and move in order to be closer to the station. I am a Chinese student, so there are few words I can understand. But it make no sense, pilot should listen and obey to the tower, That is always right.

[@rafaellupo8532]

Just for info. ! The Intl. Civil Aviation Organization , ICAO, is examining every pilots around the world to know their english skills. There is 6 proficiency levels. To be able to fly for international destinations, the pilot must reach at least the 4th level. This rule is running since march,05 2008.

[@KarlMathiasMoberg]

@CelesticSnow Nope. "The ramp" is a word used for multiple gates. One gate per aircraft, ramp is a collection of gates.

[@notafanboy250]

Interesting. I guess you're right and it would make sense that he said "November" since they park at Terminal 1. Based on the taxi instructions, taxiway N would get them in, I guess. Good catch.

[@fomsad123]

1:10 I couldn't stop laughing.

[@mengfan1230]

I just be curious that why ground service kept repeating same order in the same speaking rate after he had known chinese pilot's English was not that good? I thought if the ground service can speak slower ,things will be much easier.

[@djcavanaugh]

Flying a 747 into JFK is NOT a job for someone who has difficulty communicating with ground control. Considering the value of that flight: cost of the plane, number of people onboard, etc. there can be no excuse. The controller did not offer the warmest possible reception to NY because he was struggling to prevent an accident. Thank God he was successful. It's a real wake up call for Air China.

[@slayncn]

oh my god... seriously considering not making further bookings onto Air China... just wondering how they made into Star Alliance.

[@iceman977th]

ROFL! "Have you been cleared?" "Roger, to the gate"

[@Quinn509]

well, actually,lol... the same pilot doesn't always fly the same flight everyday. Also, you have more than one pilot in the cockpit, always 2 in the 747-400 (the plane on CA981), on flights over 8 hours, you need three, two at the controls always and one that swaps in, and for flights over 12 hours (like CA981), you require 4 pilots that switch in and out.

[@jiangteng]

i cant beliv it, that is an inernational pilot?man o man

[@26dacloudsurfer003]

LMAO the ATC almost wanted to die

[@circle2land]

Hell the area I work it sounds like Mumbai or New Delhi approach, and I am in Miami!

[@CathayGuy]

Kennedy Tower deals with Thousands of aircraft everyday, it is there job to keep all the planes safe while taxiing and in there airspace. I don't blame this controller for raising his voice slightly to get the Air China flight to do the correct taxiing. If the Controller took this more easily planes could have collided on the taxi ways etc.

[@scsirob]

ATC: AirChina981, Hold Position. AC981: Hold position, 981.. ATC: AirChina981, shut down your engines AC981: ..???.. Ehhh Shutting down engines, 981 ATC: AirChina981, now turn around, hand the keys to the gentleman behind you and step away from the controls...

[@pilingolandia]

@LKHK76 Imagine if you had some pilot in command of a plane full of people (more than 100) and he couldn´t talk to you (which he is obligated to), if you can´t comunicate with him he could crash, specially if he acknowledge everything you are questioning!! I fully understand the ATC and he didn't got so angry, he actually managed it very well calm and at the end he understood there was no way he was going to understand him so he cleared him. I would've revoked that pilots license

[@samborlon]

This is why they introduced the English Proficiency score on pilot's licenses now.

[@marty2704]

How would you know that the pilot talking is the First Officer. Sometimes the Captain is responsible for handling the radio. One of the pilots is the Pilot Flying (PF), he is responsible for flying the aircraft. The other one is the Pilot Non Flying (PNF) one for radio communication and monitoring the aircraft and assisting the PF. The First Officer is NOT always communcating via the radio, he can be Pilot Flying as well. At the briefing before the flight the pilots decide, who is PF and PNF.

[@qugubo]

Poor poilot. The JFK controller sounds quite rude and impatient. Not good.

[@ozpilotgirl]

Oh crap, that was painful!!!!!!!!!!!

[@staxtics]

the ground controller is doing a good job but he sounds impatient

[@Quinn509]

just read about that recently, but anyways, its silly when people think there is one pilot who flies the plane the whole flight every day of the year. lol...

[@4bbc]

@shivrajvishnu What exactly is your duty?

[@starwarsrebel2006]

@rewindablender He said "interrogative," which means "question."

[@llanbo]

He WAS speaking slowly.. you should hear what they normally sound like.

[@ironcityap]

That's why its a requirement to read, speak, and understand english. That's an international thing, not a U.S. thing. Those guys had no clue what the controller was saying. JFK is way too busy and chaotic for not knowing what is being said.

[@LionTipu]

If I was the air traffic controller, I would personally walk in the cockpit and tell him what to do and take parachute back to Airport. Easy.

[@OmsoiTekken]

The second time I listened to this, I noticed the very first time the AirChina 981 pilot did not understand the VERY FIRST TIME, the controller was already getting angry and you could tell by his tone of voice. Very unprofessional

[@Finalshot92]

@AshLikeSnow01 I fly aircraft, not big ones though. But to be honest with you, they are actually quite clear over the waves. If I was talking to that Chinese pilot, I would be able to understand every single thing

[@wassimdab]

i think the ATC wasnt patient enough, but if it was me, i would have reported the pilot, cozto be a commercial pilot u have to have a radio license which is done in english. so mainly the pilot put a lot of ppls lives in danger, imagine if his communication was like that in the air, on final aproach.

[@Scudrunners]

This is actually what ATC use to say to JAL and others back when they started flying the pacific to N.America. it was a requirement to have someone fluent in English and the Airspace practices in N America. When ATC didnt think the crew understood the clearance or a deviation from SOP's was required tehy would request "John Wayne" meaning the English speaking person. And yes I am an Asshole.

[@dogsofwarclan]

i only said the 747 in qeustion can hold up to 556 passngrs. dint say it was on this flight . its only to show how many peeps can fit in that type of 747 incase it goes wrong , u see

[@tigers123123]

OMG, it's scary that that such pilots are actually flying around...

[@SgtPotShot]

We've got 50 million of these guys going through UND right now. A friend of mine almost got hit by them.

[@cvn76hk]

To improve this, the chinese government has to teach English at a much earlier stage(they teach english only in Secondary schools and English is considered not as important + the teachers are not good), the airline should find some better tutors and the JFK should be more patient and understand what it is like for the Chinese pilots.

[@tjkGr9]

Jajajajaja!!!! I just listen a Air Chine 982 Heavy taxiing to the runway in Kennedy!!! jajajajajajaja It's very funny, I publish that tomorrow on starts of next months :) Thta's good jajajaj!! Airchina the bests!! jaja =)

[@Nicshooter]

I know but they should give them an english tution before going to the commercial world because it's different.

[@EdifierCFan]

This is dangerous. Language skill is the basic skill for pilots, especially international flight pilots. They should pass the language exam before they start the international flight. This is the overall performance of the company. Those companies do need improvements in management.

[@rustyATV]

Wonder how English speaking pilots fare in China

[@Triple777ER]

"ground....uhhh....gate numwar free is open"

[@thehalfvolley]

he would never have those problems at hong kong -geez

[@JohnisoneGR]

And what language do you believe it should be chosen? Would it be spanish, would be italian, would it be French? What are you trying to say?

[@Triple777ER]

RAMP TO THA RAMP TO THA RAMP TO THA RAMP. TOOO THAAAAA WINDOWWWWWWW TO THA RAMPPPPPP.

[@wololoarmy]

i can imagine the ATC banging his head on the table!!! .... pity him ..... but in the end he got the job done and thats imp

[@tanker013]

Fly into LAX or JFK, you'll hear it every 5 minutes.

[@windycloud23]

Every time I listen to this I feel embarrassed for them.

[@BC-2]

controller's mighty irritated...now, lemme ask, does "join alpha" mean to taxi on alpha??

[@rnav36]

this is a Chinese accent. However, the truth is, there are more Chinese who speak fluent English than the total number of non-Chinese English speakers in the world. You are correct, not every university student know how to speak English properly, but at least they know the Chinese language thoroughly, that is their own language. They really don't have to study English you know? That's just an option, but the number of their fluent English speakers still beat our population.

[@cripplehawk]

The Controller got suspended because of this incident. My Sister in law's brother(who works at KLAX ground Control) told me. But fellow ATC and Union members got VERY upset and protested on his behalf, as a result the guy was reinstated.

[@darrenhenderson3]

And he’d still be a douche on the radio years later

[@brianr6651]

Why? English is the universal language in aviation. I would say he could’ve taken it easier with the pilot clearly doing their best but it’s Kennedy. One of the busiest airports In the US.

[@repse2009]

Search :Misfunctional FAA phraseology by Kent JONES : The routine words and phrases to be used in messages between pilots and controllers must not be potential sources of confusion. In order to avoid ambiguity, there must be a one-to-one relationship between concepts and their spoken expression. Further, misnomers and other oddities would not inhabit a scientifically valid terminology.(...)

[@SejadAhmic]

OK, i learned 1 thing now, im going to check so the pilot can speak fluent english before i step on a airplane again, ever.

[@meRyanP]

It doesn't really matter if the airline is US based or not, if you fly to another country you could have a controller just like this pilot..it has happened.

[@akpch]

I think air traffic control language should be Esperanto or Latin. This way it will be same for everyone.

[@LRC253]

To be a "professional" pilot you have to learn English, more importantly ATC/Aviation lingo. If you cant, then stick to being a pilot in China and not international.

[@Thermikus]

Would it be so hard to learn the world language or at least aviation english for a job you earn a hell lot of money for and in which you are in response of many souls?

[@zaphr89]

@user26049 No, he does not ask if he is AT the ramp but if he is allowed to go. So did they get you to the ramp is not a logical question in that situation.

[@frequentairbusflyer8]

I totally agree

[@jasbouba]

oh no im supposed to fly air china next week... i would laugh if i wasnt so worried

[@OmsoiTekken]

In my opinion, they are both kind of to blame. The controller shouldn't of lost his professionalism because he possibly did not make it clear enough. Although on the other hand, the pilot should not of been flying overseas if not able to interpret given instructions. Peace out!

[@LKHK76]

@Pilingolandia I don't think anyone disputes language incompetence of the Air China pilot, but he's there, taxiing his jet in the middle of the JFK, and now what? You either go out of your way to help him out or vent your frustration. The ATC controller who, obviously lacks social intelligence to interact with anyone who is not native speaker, chose the latter. And it only made the situation worse.

[@AH45]

air china crew really need to take english classes, thats the biggest problem with the airline.

[@TRBlom]

What should he (the controller) have asked?

[@omar2726]

Whoa "This is why I do NOT Fly NON U.S. Air Carriers. Period.", that was kind of overkill. Many Asian carriers are good, like Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Cathay, Malaysia and Thai! Plus the European and Middle Eastern Carriers! What did you think? Only Americans speak English?

[@CaNxYoUxStoP]

omfgg this is so funny..The atc shouldnt haved gotten that aggressive with airChina

[@Jantelover]

but isn't that adam corolla ?

[@FlightsimmerFMO]

Because of that the ATC controler's are getting so much money!!!

[@HHan13]

He said hold short or holy shit???

[@tzieser]

cybermom is right. i saw this on cnn about a half hour ago.

[@TheKinetic]

Agressive and angry??? What the hell are you talking about? I think the ATC was very patient. I would shout the pilot's head off, if I were in his shoes. Guys, just imagine what could happen in a critical situation! Hundreds of lifes would be thrown out of the window, just because the pilot misunderstand the ATC. It should not be allowed!!! Period.

[@jipasd]

Hilariosity. Though wouldn't want to see this vid if I was to fly any time soon...

[@Doooku]

Think about this: Air China has one of the highest industry safety record that almost all of the American airlines.

[@KevinLee251]

Let me tell you the true.The person，who talked with the GND is not the pilot of CCA981，he is a staff of Airchina.He ask to communicate with the JFK GND，and pilot agree that（no oen know why），the staff realy Speak shitly at English，but he still hold the communicate. case by this，this staff lost his job and pilot lost one month's salary. If every pilot just like this in airchina，how could they stay at the most safety airline position still today？

[@AntonyTH]

my my...

[@pilingolandia]

@LKHK76 I would've been that pissed too, bu you are right he must've been more mature and accept the situation, then complain.

[@loseyourself630]

@highflyer19 says the military controller... tell me im wrong.

[@brcakb]

Don't blame the pilots,blame the company for hiring them...

[@rewindablender]

what is a terragative?

[@codzomz]

@LKHK76 dude as an airtraffic controller myself... if I were on ground frequencies (which are the fucking hardest to control) and i was basically talking to a wall that would just echo back everything I yelled and could possibly have a danger hazard, I would be screaming too.... are you a controller? cause even on the ground you can get a "deal" if 2 aircraft get too close and if he was to taxi to the completely wrong side of the airport and/or the wrong direction... it'll cause too much danger

[@mikeleekok]

@FatPizza56 very agree!!!!