îTo the uninitiated, air traffic communication in any language all sounds like Greek. Mainly, it is a hyperabbreviated shorthand of letters and numerals identifying sender and receiver and passing on data about wind conditions, altitudes and airport geography. Herewith a typical conversation, in English and French, as it might be overheard by an Air Canada pilot over Quebec City.
Pilot: Quebec ground, this is Foxtrot Juliet Victor Hotel, radio check. One two decimal nine.
Ground Control: JVH, Quebec ground, radio check.
Pilot: Quebec ground, JVH at hangar number three. Request taxi clearance. Over.
Ground Control: JVH, Quebec ground. Runway zero six, wind zero seven zero...
