Is it mandatory or does it give you an upper hand if you speak french when applying for airline?

Question

I would just like to know if you wanna fly in Canada, would french help you out to get the job faster or is it mandatory?

Answer 1

English is the international language of aviation, so you don't need French, but outside the airplane it might be nice with your francophone colleagues.

Answer 2

I hear people speaking french in Canada over the ATC radio, and I wonder if they know that it's illegal.  It's also stupid and dangerous.  Nobody who speaks English will know what you are saying, or who you are getting close to.  Please speak English.  Now, if you are going to work for United, or any airline as a flight attendant, speaking more than one language would be a big help.

Answer 3

Most of today's aviation is done in English. However, if they're was a passenger problem that could not be handled by the stewards then I guess speaking another language would be helpful.

Answer 4

I am hesitant to answer this question because there have already been so many answers already posted (some better than others) . However, I do not feel that the answers adequately address your question which is related to whether or not knowing french will increase your chances for obtaining a flying job as a pilot in Canada.

French is not mandatory for pilots for most airlines in Canada. Air Canada, for example, does not require pilots to speak french, even if they are based in Montreal (YUL). This is not the case for flight attendants who are required to know English and French, or English and one other language that is spoken on Air Canada Flights.

However, if you are able to learn french, it will be a valuable asset for helping you obtain a job. This will help at both the airline level and at the lower levels of the industry while you are building up your hours.

At the airline level (i.e. WestJet and Air Canada) you are not required to know how to speak French, but being bilingual is considered an asset. Being able to make announcements in both official languages is helpful and if there's ever an issue at an airport where groundcrew speak french, you'll be better abled to handle it. Some larger airlines, such as Air Transat and Norlinor, which are based in Quebec and fly primarily francophone passengers, require pilots to be able to speak french.

While building hours, being bilingual will come in handy. There is a lot of general aviation in Quebec and if you're able to communicate fluently in french, you'll be eligible for those positions. Anglophones who do not speak french will be hard pressed to get a job at any of these smaller companies in Quebec.

In Quebec, many pilots speak french over the radio. While Air Traffic Controllers and FSS are bilingual, being able to understand all transmissions being made will increase your safety level.

In general aviation outside of Quebec, knowing French isn't that big a deal, but it's always a benefit. You'll get the occasional francophone passenger and it would be great if you're able to communicate with them in their language.

Most of my friends that now fly for Air Canada or WestJet do not speak french. It is not required, but would definitely help your chances in the industry.

Bonne Chance!

James Ball

Author of "So, You Want to be a Pilot, Eh? - A Guidebook for Canadian Pilot Training"

http://www.piloteh.com

http://www.piloteh.blogspot.com  

Answer 5

It is not illegal to speak French on the radio, however, the language of aviation is English. If you are flying in Canada and you speak to a controller (FSS, ATC, Tower or even ground control) in English, they must reply to you in English.

Their job is to maintain traffic separation and they do a good job of it. I have flown throughout Quebec's airspace dozens of times and never had a problem. Ever. You won't either.

Answer 6

English is the language of aviation.  Knowing French might help you in a few bilingual situations outside the aircraft, but it would be a pretty small detail on a résumé compared to your other experience and qualifications, even in Canada.  Obviously, in other countries where French is not spoken, it wouldn't matter at all.

Answer 7

I'm not sure if it is mandatory, but generally in Canada, speaking French is always an advantage when it comes to job hunting. Being fluent in more than one language is an asset anywhere in the world!

Answer 8

It is not mandatory, but pretty helpful and they will choose you over a candidate who does not speak french. Quebec has a lot of flights going in and out, so being able to function well there will be much more useful than if you are only an English speaker.

Answer 9

what job are you going for?

flight attendant, it will augment your chances by 50% or more.

pilot, it will augment your chances by at least 25%.

knowing an extra language is always an asset, no matter where.

in canada, especially in quebec, ATC will speak french if you speak french to the first. I will speak french to them sometimes too. However, it is not mandatory for you to know french. It would help if you're applying for a mostly french airline though. The managers need everyone to be able to get along easily. If everyone speaks french better than english, and you only speak english, who do you think they'll hire? the guy that speaks french or you?

also, if you're a pilot hoping to do international routes, speaking an extra language is a plus. Every canadian airline except for the regional ones will fly to europe, at least.

The places you will be going might not speak the second language you're familiar with but knowing another language helps you understand English spoken with a very very bad accent. (over france, they will speak french or a very accented English. over africa, many nations speak french and barely speak english--knowing french would help)

Answer 10

the language of aviation is english

Answer 11

If you have the choice of learning French or any other language for that matter, you should take it especially with the airline industry. You can do the pre-flight announcement without sounding like an idiot who's trying to read straight of the page. I also think any other language you can learn will also get you a better chance of getting a job, or even looking better than the competition. Although not mandatory, I highly recommended it.

Answer 12

no it isn't mandatory.

No it will not help you.  All aviation communications (except for a relative few in Canada) are done in English.  French makes no difference at all.

Answer 13

Like everyone says, english is official world language of aviation. But, if you speak french, dont feel bad. It just identifies you as someone who will lay down their guns and run from a conflict, then ask America to save their country!:-) Im gonna get it for that remark!