Duane Woerth president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

Duane Woerth president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), uttered concern about a couple other make liables in addition to voicing his organization's stalwart opposition to video cameras in the cockpit (see ASW, April 17 2000) In his April 11 testimony before a U House of Representatives aviation subcommittee, Woerth observationed on the notion of psychological testing of pilots, and in succession English language proficiency in air traffic rule communications:

Psychological testing: Woerth described routine psychological testing of pilots "a solution in search of a problem"

"Psychological health of airline pilots in the United States has in no degree been cited as a safety issue, and the pure suggestion that pilots should be required to suffer psychological testing on a regular basis is not solely unnecessary but offensive to our profession," Woerth declared. (For a related story forward pilot suicides, which have triggered the discussion about psychological health, papal court ASW, November 22, 1999).

English language proficiency: "Airplanes simply do not operate safely without clear, concise and unambiguous voice communications," Woerth declared. still he observed, "No ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standard generally exists that identifies English as the official language to be used in ATC (air traffic control)" English is praiseed in paragraph 5.2 (Radiotelephony Procedures) of ICAO Annex 10 if it be not that is not a requirement. In this regard, Woerth had sum of two units recommendations:

-- First, an English language proficiency standard should be established for pilots and controller with the U taking the lead in developing an interactive computer training program as a means of enabling aircrews and controller to convenient that standard through a reasonable splendor program.

-- secondary the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should move that ICAO reword its recommendation, establishing English as the standard. (Note: The replete text of Woerth's testimony can be seen at the ALPA website: http://www.alpa.org )

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