Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Competency of Foreign Pilots.
- Competency of Foreign Pilots 7 speeches
The Minister said foreign pilots employed by Irish airlines are tested and inspected under internationally recognised standards. Asked whether those tests include English-language proficiency, he presumed they do, but did not specify how often pilots are tested.
Patrick McCartan, John P. Wilson, Austin Deasy
- Language Breakdown in Cork Airport Accident 6 speeches
McCartan asked whether a language breakdown contributed to a recent landing accident at Cork Airport and said he had information about the pilots’ language competency. The Ceann Comhairle said the specific incident warranted a separate question; Deasy and McCartan exchanged brief remarks about language education.
Patrick McCartan, Seán Treacy, Austin Deasy
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has satisfied himself with the level of competency of foreign pilots contracted to fly passenger planes for Irish companies operating to and from Irish airports; if any tests are made to establish the level of competency of such pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
I am satisfied with the competency of the non-Irish pilots currently employed on passenger aircraft by Irish air companies.
The level of competency of such pilots is checked by means of tests and inspections conducted by officers of my Department or by examiners approved by the Department for that purpose.
Comment on this
Can the Minister advise whether the tests in terms of competency or otherwise include language tests and an understanding in particular of the English language by pilots now employed in the private sector from among non-nationals? Would the Minister advise us how often a new pilot operating within our air space and for our air companies would be subjected to testing by his Department?
Comment on this
The tests are laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Such are the tests that are recognised internationally. Our testing covers the whole range which satisfies the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Comment on this
I presume it does. Otherwise there would not be much point in having somebody contacting the tower whose language was not understood in the tower.
Comment on this
Is the Minister in a position to comment on whether in fact the breakdown of language was a significant factor in contributing to the landing accident which occurred involving a privately owned aircraft at Cork Airport recently?
Comment on this
I have information specifically relating to the competency of the pilots who were flying that aircraft not understanding the language.
Comment on this
We will have to ask the civil aviation authority to substitute English for Russian on the school syllabus.