International Aviation Language...

[JvW]

Flying north of the border to Canada over the weekend and was hoping to obtain a list of ATC language differences between the US and Canada. Thanks for any help in advance,

JvW

 

[Fly2Scuba]

If you're flying to Quebec, do you speak French?

 

[2000flyer]

We fly through Newfoundland yearly and it's usually during the night. Be prepared to hear "you're cleared for AN approach", possibly from a great distance from the airport if there is no traffic. Also, unless it's recently changed, but Canada doesn't have a "visual" approach. You'll be cleared for a "contact" approach.

When in Quebec, begin initial calls with "bonjour" and end with "au voir" (check spelling but you know what I mean). Everywhere else, end each sentence with "eh" and never all the controller a "hoser"

All kidding aside, Canada has great controllers and shouldn't pose any real problems.

Have a great flight.

2000Flyer

 

[JJJ]

They use "decimal" instead of "point" when refering to frequencys.

Flight numbers are usually "one two three four" instead of "twelve thirty-four"

L/R circuit instead of L/R pattern.

they don't clear you to land till you are number 1 for the runway.

The speed limits are 200kts within 10 miles and 3000 ft.

CAVOK on the atis means Ceiling And Visibility is OK. I think a min of 5000ft ceiling and 10 miles of visibility?

In western Canada they usually respond with a "ger" meaning roger every time you read back a new altitude or heading.

Don't divert to an airport that is not your destination. Lots of paper work from what I hear.

 

[j328driver]

Don't forget:

"Leave 5 on the glide, tower by the tango, have a good day eh."

 

[GogglesPisano]

That's why we should change the international language of aviation to "Esparanto."

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Just add "eh" and "take off you Hoser" after every transmission and you should be fine.

 

[JvW]

Yep, we are going into Montreal and no I do not speak any French, I am German. I was just looking for a website where the subtle defferences are explained. I understand that Canadians say "line up and wait" instead of "position and hold". I just want to make sure that I prepare myself as good as possible when visiting our neighbors to the North.

Thanks,

JvW

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

It's "apron" instead of "ramp". "Line up and wait" instead of "position and hold". It's "arrival" instead of "approach". The controllers always respond to your responses with a final "roger". You're never cleared to land till you're number one. They don't have grooved runways. Visibility is given as it is, not vis 10 miles when it's really at least 10 miles. ATIS is always given at the top of the hour, not :53 or :56 past. You can pick up your clearance 45 minutes prior not just 30 minutes prior. Often center will tell you, "The ATIS is information ___", 100 miles out instead of approach expecting it. I've been cleared for visual approaches in Canada so I'm not so sure about the previous post about no visual approaches. The speed limit of 250 knots below 10,000 feet doesn't apply there. This all comes from my experiences flying into and out of Vancouver (CYVR) and Calgary (CYYC) so I could be way off when it comes to other airports in Canada. Good luck and take a coat this time of year.