The communication loop is the complete circle of the transmission, involving the listen, read-back, hear-back, and acknowledge/correct sequence of communication between pilot and controller (Pilot-Controller communications, 2020). Noise and Filters refer to the barriers to effective communication between the Pilot and Controller. Common barriers to effective communication include.
Poor Infrastructure
The use of Very High Frequency (VHF) and High Frequency (HF) radio technology has posed a communication barrier when the range limitations of this technology come into effect. Due to the line of sight limitation, communication becomes unclear and incoherent as the distance between the controller and the pilot increases. Adverse weather in the form of thunderstorms increases the likelihood of deteriorating transmissions. Improvement is achieved by the installation of repeaters to bridge the gap between transmitting stations and aircraft along flight routes. The use of multiple radio equipment on the aircraft helps as well. As a design feature to overcome this barrier, most aircraft have at least one antenna and transmitter on the top of the fuselage and another on the underside of the fuselage. Datalink communications is another solution to the barrier of poor radio infrastructure.
English Language Skills Variation
Differences in proficiency, pronunciation and the influence of accents contribute as a barrier to effective communication. As pilots fly across geopolitical boundaries, the effects of this barrier come into play. According to Pilot-Controller communications (2020), language differences are responsible for significant communication difficulties, controllers who use English for international flights but a regional language for domestic flights compound this problem. The solution lies in complete acceptance and reliance on English as the sole language of aviation and investment in language training of controllers and pilots to a uniform standard of language proficiency.
Use of Non-Standard Phraseology
Variation in word usage in different parts of the world creates a barrier to communication due to misinterpretation ( Hamzah & Wong, 2018). According to Pilot-Controller communications (2020), ICAO phraseology always minimizes the potential for misunderstanding. Further training and sensitization on the universal use of standard phraseology should be enforced. During my initial training, I heard a lot of nonstandard transmissions, mostly greeting and goodbyes, by the time I transitioned to airline flying, I used similar phraseology only to realize in some airspaces, these same words had different meanings. The use of standard phraseology cannot be overemphasized.
Frequency Congestion
Often the case is in low-manpower ATC centers, for instance, tower controlling start-up, taxi, takeoff, and landing traffic. I experienced a scenario with congestion on takeoff, where we required separation but the tower frequency was occupied by another aircraft requesting start-up while acknowledging Atis information and declaring fuel endurance and souls on board. Separation of traffic control into clearance delivery, ground control, and tower for takeoff and landing mitigates this communication barrier.
Blocked Transmissions
Transmitting over ATC and other pilots’ transmissions is a common barrier to communication. Improved listen-out tailored training and more coverage and utilization of datalink communication is the solution to this communication barrier. Where datalink cannot be effectively utilized like approach to land and takeoff/ departure phases of flight, a decongestion by altitude or direction of approach to an airfield or standard arrival will go a long way in mitigating blocked transmissions.
Data Communications are the least susceptible to communication barriers as blocked transmission, frequency congestion, word choice, and geopolitical accent are all eliminated as barriers to communication.
References
Hamzah, H., & Wong, F. F. (2018). Miscommunication in pilot-controller interaction. 3L, Language, Linguistics, Literature, 24(4) doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/10.17576/3L-2018-2404-15
Pilot-Controller Communication (24 June 2020). Retrieved from https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Pilot-Controller_Communications_(OGHFA_BN) (Links to an external site.)
All rights on this publication belong to Capt. Avaans Martin.