Shirl:
The reg is that you can speak, read, write, and understand English.

"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
Are you able to cite the regulation to which you refer that requires
reading and writing English?

"El Maximo" wrote:
That would involve admitting to a mistake. It will never happen. He'll
either ignore the request entirely, or answer a question you didn't ask.

El Maximo, I was the one (Shirl) who said that about the reg. I did not
see the request until this moment -- I wasn't ignoring it.

I admit, I quoted the wrong reg -- that *is* what the reg says,
verbatim, for a US pilot; I don't know what it says for a foreign pilot
flying in the US on a foreign certificate. Do you? I'd be surprised if
it says or implies that ONLY English "aviation phraseology" is required.
IMO, it's common sense that flying into airports as busy as JFK, SFO or
LAX, you'd have to have ENOUGH understanding of something as simple as
"were you cleared to the ramp?" even if it isn't "standard" aviation
phraseology.

If there had been a runway incursion or accident, I don't think the
controller would have been held responsible for the China Air pilot not
understanding because he used the words "were you cleared to the ramp?"
instead of "confirm clearance to the ramp". I know you can't stand
*what's his name* here, but I agree that if the China Air pilot's
English isn't good enough to understand something THAT basic, or the
difference between "Mike/Alpha" and "November" after it was repeated 4
times, that should be an issue.