The so called “ICAO languages” are only the working languages of ICAO into which documents and treaties are translated. They have no bearing to radiotelephony. The only language that is mentioned specially in the ICAO texts is English. So Suaheli and French have the same status with regards to R/T.
Martin wrote:
You can hear French for example in … Switzerland.
Well some french crews tend to use french when operating into and out of Geneva, but it’s not the norm. Swiss radar is english only (AIP ENR 2.1), only some Geneva Control Area frequencies are dual language En/Fr, and some Zurich Control Area frequencies are dual language En/Ge. Also see AIP ENR 6.1.1 radio facility index, which lists available languages.
Spain is full of Spanish-language ATC, too.
Do you know a country that performs IFR radio communication in its local language even though it’s not an ICAO language?
Sure, Italy is full of Italian-language ATC.
BTW, there is no distinction between “VFR ATC” and “IFR ATC” languages in countries like France or Italy.
Turns out I should have asked, because when taking the test I found out that I could have taken the VFR one and used it with an IR.
So what’s the difference between them? Just what set of rules were used during the test, and it makes no difference once the test is over?
Martin wrote:
I don’t think there are many states that would outlaw an official language.
I have never heard IFR communication in a language other than one of the official ICAO languages. What you often hear is a mix where clearance etc. are in English and other stuff (like requests) in the local language. That’s e.g. how it’s done in Germany.
Do you know a country that performs IFR radio communication in its local language even though it’s not an ICAO language?
PapaPapa wrote:
you can’t use FR outside France bascally
You can hear French for example in Canada. Or Switzerland. And no, it’s not limited to “ICAO languages” AFAIK. This is governed by law and sovereign states can make whatever law they want. I don’t think there are many states that would outlaw an official language. And you can have military or VFR pilots on the same frequency. When you are under the control of ATC, it’s their job to give you the information you need, in the language which you used to contact them. Anyway, ICAO can’t “force” a country to do anything. English is there so foreigners can communicate, not locals.
I think those languages are the ones ICAO uses to communicate. English is primary and they translate to/ from the secondary ones (French, Russian, etc.).
actually, I don’t know if it is restricted to ICAO languages only.
I would have thought so otherwise you could just say, “there’s english and the other languages”
PapaPapa wrote:
It can be any ICAO language
Where do you find the limitation to ICAO languages? AFAIK you can use any language for IFR as long as ATC officially uses the same language. Certainly non-ICAO languages are used for IFR by national carriers in a number of countries.
sorry, getting back a little late on the topic.
as already said IFR R/T is not mandatorily in english.
It can be any ICAO language (FR is one) with the obvious limitation that you can’t use FR outside France bascally 
And yes, for some reason France distinguishes VFR and IFR with an apprently noticeable difference in difficulty (which does not make sense but well…)
I will get my IFR R/T FR automatically once I pass my IR skill test.
And I will be sitting the FCL.055d (EN IFR) this friday in Orly…
