The Importance of English on Board

Every pilot knows - or at least he/she should know - the importance of English and its correct usage before, during and after flight. Not only must pilots meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, but cabin crew as well. When a passenger gets on a plane he/she wants to be well served, welcomed as a unique person and, mainly, realize the ones who are handling the flight process have the makings of a pilot, air host/hostess, etc. In other words, passengers wonder whether the airline meets quality requirements in every aspect - from the pilot/co-pilot to the cabin crew.

Now, try to imagine you as a foreigner coming to visit Brazil for the first time and by the time you first get a connecting flight you find yourself listening to this quality of English in the video below.

Did you understand it? What would you think of this airline? Would you think this airline cabin crew have participated in any English training program?  Would you be confident in this airline and its crew?

Well, we are (not) saying this airline does not have a well-qualified English training program, but how can a foreign passenger understand and be confident in an airline where English is not well spoken by its cabin crew? 

As you can see, not only is English important to pilots and air traffic control officers (ATCOs), but also to cabin crew and ground personnel. If pilots, air traffic control officers, cabin crews and ground personnels keep taking English for granted, it might be - at least - embarrassing to an airline get to know people are poking fun of it.

Test Taker Guide - Transport Canada

The Aviation-Language Proficiency Test

The Aviation-Language Proficiency Test (ALPT) is an English-language or French-language proficiency test, set in an aviation context. It is designed for people with some knowledge of aviation whose native language is not English. However, all applicants including native English or native French speakers are required to complete the test.

What is the purpose of the test?

The Aviation-Language Proficiency Test will be used to test the English-language or French-language ability of those seeking to become licensed pilots in Canada. The aviation language proficiency requirements are a result of international standards, which are required for all licenses issued after March 05, 2008. However all Permit holders including Student Pilot Permit holders are encouraged to take the test.

What is the format of the test?

A trained test administrator - Examiner conducts the Aviation-Language Proficiency Test. The test ideally should be conducted over a telephone. The Examiner and candidate should be located in different rooms and a telephone or similar device should be used for communication between the two. It should not be conducted in a face-to-face manner. The Examiner will present several different scenarios and will ask you to respond as if you were part of the scenario (“role-play”). The test consists of up to 20 responses.

The Examiner is not at liberty to deviate from the test script. However candidates may ask that a question be repeated.

The ALPT will assess:

• Listening comprehension
• Speaking ability
• Responses to different scenarios

How will I take the test?

The test should be administered by phone. When you register with an Examiner, you will receive a date and time for the test, as well as instructions for the day of the test.

How long will the test take?

The test administration takes about 20 minutes.

What will I need to take the test?

To take the test, you will need this Test-Taker Guide and a pen or pencil. In this Guide there are some maps that you may need to look at during the test. Therefore, it is very important that you have or PRINT a copy of the maps and have it with you when you take the test.

You will also need a pen and paper. You can use these to make notes, if necessary.

Will the test be recorded?

No. The tests will be scored on the Application Form. Test administrations will not normally be audio recorded.

When will I get a test score?

You should receive your results from the Examiner shortly after the test is completed. You may require a copy of the results to process additional temporary privileges. You should receive your formal results within three weeks after successful completion of the test. A letter will be sent from Transport Canada with a single score for the entire test; you will not receive a score for each spoken response. The test Examiner cannot give you your score over the telephone, but you can contact the Examiner later on after the assessment calculations have been completed.

Your score will be at one of three levels:

• Expert
• Operational
• Below-operational

Sample Questions

When you take the test, the Examiner will introduce himself or herself and ask you for your name and Test Taker ID number, licence or file number. You will be asked if you have all of the materials needed for the test. This introductory conversation is not scored.

Then the Examiner will say:

“This is a test of speaking ability. It is not a test of aviation knowledge. Only your speaking and listening ability will be scored. The situations you are asked to imagine in this test are fictitious and may not seem realistic to you. Nevertheless, answer the questions to the best of your ability.

“In this test you will be asked to imagine that you are in certain situations. Try to speak as if that situation were taking place.”

The test is based on scenarios. There are four types of scenarios on the test:

• Routine procedural
• Non-routine procedural
• Routine plain language
• Urgency/emergency plain language

Each scenario will consist of several questions. The test will contain up to 20 questions.

Routine Procedural Sample Question

The Test Examiner might say:

“Imagine that you are flying FABC. You are set to depart from March airport. Contact FSS and ask for an airport advisory. I will be FSS.”

You might respond:

“March Radio, this is FABC. Requesting airport advisory.”

Non-Routine Procedural Sample Question

The Test Examiner might say:

“Imagine you are getting ready to take off from an airport and you see a deer on the runway. Radio the Flight Service Specialists to inform them of the situation.”

You might respond:

“March Radio, this is FABC. There’s a deer on runway zero-eight.”

Routine Plain Language Sample Question

The Test Examiner might say:

“Now look at the diagram of March Airport on Page 7 of this booklet. Imagine that you are a licensed pilot and are approaching March airport from the east after a cross-country sightseeing flight. Due to the wind conditions, you have decided to land on runway 08. I will be your passenger.”

The Test Examiner acting in the role as a passenger might say:

“Why aren't we landing now?”

You might respond:

“Since the wind is coming from the east, we're going to land on a different runway - it's best to head into the wind. We’ll be landing on runway 08, which is at the west end of the airport. Don't worry though; we'll be on the ground shortly.”

Emergency Plain Language

The Test Examiner might say:

“Imagine that you are a licensed pilot and have just departed March airport for a cross-country sightseeing flight. One of your passengers becomes ill and you need to return to the airport. Advise March Radio. I will be March Radio.”

You might respond:

“March Radio, FABC. I have an ill passenger onboard. I am returning to March airport. Request an ambulance to meet the plane.”

(Source - Transport Canada)

Deadline for aviation English test for pilots and controllers approaches

Language skills can be as important to flyers as ability
at the controls.

The date approaches, when commercial aircraft pilots, who operate international routes, must have passed an English test, showing that their aviation spoken and comprehensive English is at least of ICAO’s Level 4. By 1 March, 2011 pilots, as well as experienced air traffic control officers (ATCO), according to ICAO’s Level 4 standard, will have to be able to make themselves clear in basic English and have the certificate proving this in order not to lose license for international operations.

While examining special attention is paid, whether pilots are able to explain a problem or ask for help in specific situations. This is done in order to avoid disasters, which can be managed communicating clearly. According to ICAO, there were at least seven such accidents. One of them was Avianca Boeing 707 that crashed in New York due to crew’s inability to explain that the aircraft was lacking of fuel. 

The requirement for sufficient English knowledge became more relevant, when more and more airlines from small countries, where English is not mother tongue, entered global aviation market.

Although ICAO announced the requirement two years ago most of the airlines did nothing that their pilot would get the language certificates. Due to this reason currently the backlog at most examining places is nearly years long and aviation specialists should hurry improving their knowledge and getting the certificates.