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The speed at which we speak is one of THE most important factors in safe, efficient aeronautical communication. If we speak too quickly then the chance of misunderstanding increases; if we speak too slowly then traffic can become congested and delays can occur. ICAO has decided that the optimal speed is 100 words per minute. “Maintain an even rate of speech not exceeding 100 words per minute. When it is known that elements of the message will be written down by the recipient, speak at a slightly slower rate”. (ICAO Manual of Radiotelephony) This video contains three messages delivered by native-English speaking air traffic controllers. The rate of speech is included. The same message is then delivered at 100 words per minute so the differences are (hopefully) clear. If pilots and controllers are regularly speaking more than 2 times faster than the required rate, then: 1) What are regulators currently doing to ensure pilots and ATCO’s speak at 100 words per minute? or 2) Does ICAO need to increase the mandated rate of speech (for example to 150 words per minute)? or 3) Is the current situation ok?
RADIOTELEPHONY – rate of speech
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The speed at which we speak is one of THE most important factors in safe, efficient aeronautical communication. If we speak too quickly then the chance of misunderstanding increases; if we speak too slowly then traffic can become congested and delays can occur. ICAO has decided that the optimal speed is 100 words per minute. “Maintain an even rate of speech not exceeding 100 words per minute. When it is known that elements of the message will be written down by the recipient, speak at a slightly slower rate”. (ICAO Manual of Radiotelephony) This video contains three messages delivered by native-English speaking air traffic controllers. The rate of speech is included. The same message is then delivered at 100 words per minute so the differences are (hopefully) clear. If pilots and controllers are regularly speaking more than 2 times faster than the required rate, then: 1) What are regulators currently doing to ensure pilots and ATCO’s speak at 100 words per minute? or 2) Does ICAO need to increase the mandated rate of speech (for example to 150 words per minute)? or 3) Is the current situation ok?
RADIOTELEPHONY – rate of speech
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