Foreign Affairs

Away from the warm embrace of North Dakota, our hero takes on foreign ATC, poorly marked pavement, U.S. Customs and even Florida. Along the way, lessons were learned.

Matt Johnson

Thursday, February 06, 2025 at 04:57 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipovic

Key Takeaways:

International flights frequently involve communication challenges with foreign air traffic control due to language barriers and accents, necessitating pilots to speak clearly and concisely.
Navigating unfamiliar international airports requires thorough pre-flight study of airport diagrams and procedures, as operational standards and infrastructure can differ significantly.
Pilots must meticulously adhere to customs regulations, including pre-arrival reporting (eAPIS), possessing correct documentation, and ensuring aircraft meet specific equipment requirements for international operations.
Overall, successful international aviation demands adaptability to diverse operational environments, thorough preparation for varying climates, and respectful interaction with local authorities.

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We listened very intently to the Spanish-speaking air traffic controller, coming in “double-broken”: broken radio transmission, broken English. The woman’s voice in Spanish in our earphones that night, high over Bogota, Colombia. It just sounds “high,” since the field elevation at Bogota is about 8400 feet, so they bring you in at like 13,000 feet on an initial leg for the approach.

Turns out 13,000 feet is lower there than 13,000 feet in Fargo, North Dakota, my home plate, thanks to mountainous terrain. I’m told this is because of the Coriolis effect, but I’m not sure about that.