ASOG Article of the Month: January 2021
ASOG Author: Bernhard Eckhardt
Regarding all things in this world, there are written standards and unwritten standards. When it comes to the ASO profession and having a good grasp of Aviation English, it is no different. Bernhard Eckhardt continues his series on Aviation English and how the international community of professional Airborne Sensor Operators can do better regarding what they must do and what they should do!
In my previous article, “Aviation English: Why it’s Important for Airborne Sensor Operators to Speak English,” I talked about the importance of Aviation English. In this article, I’m going to discuss what are the standards regarding training and testing.
English has long been the universal language of aviation. Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) of different nationalities have been obligatory to communicate using English. In the past, it was up to each nation to establish their standard of Aviation English.
Nevertheless, these standards often differ. As a result, miss or poor communication in the English language has caused to many aviation accidents… not just between pilots and air traffic controls but between non-pilot and pilot aircrew members, e.g., Airborne Sensor Operators and Pilots.
Things to Know
The ICAO established an international standard for language proficiency requirements involving a rating scale to determine the level of English proficiency. The ICAO officially recognized a level of 4 or higher as being English proficient in aviation.
ICAO member countries around the globe mostly accept these English standards. However, countries are still responsible for managing and implementing exams within their borders but following a basic global ICAO method format, i.e., ICAO Aviation English Exam Standards. Additionally, each nation may set its requirements beyond what was set by the ICAO.
Bottom line, the process, paperwork, and fees of taking the ICAO Aviation English in Croatia might differ from taking the Exam in Japan. However, the universal structure and focus of the exam are as followed.
Can anyone take the English exam?
Yes, anyone can take the ICAO English exam, including Airborne Sensor Operators, but pilots and air traffic controllers engaged in international aircraft or flight operations must achieve at least level 4 of English proficiency. Even pilots who fly between two non-English speaking states must first pass the ICAO English exam.
Again, ASOs are not required to take the exam if operating internationally. However, it makes sense to have a level 4 of English proficiency…Why?
After attending a few ASOG Social Networking events, I realized the importance of Aviation English and how it can benefit everyone who routinely flies professionally as an aircrew member, i.e., be it ASO, helicopter Host Operator, Flight Attendant, etc. I would even say Drone Operators could benefit from becoming proficient in Aviation English, especially with routine Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operations just around the corner.
So, if you want to do better in your ASO or aircrew career, here are the standards that will help you and your crew be safe and effective and probably improve your job opportunities.
Subjects and Rating Levels
During the exam, the evaluator assesses the applicant based on the following subjects:
- Pronunciation – Speak English with a dialect or accent that is simple for the listener to comprehend.
- Structure – Grammatical structures and sentence patterns are correct.
- Vocabulary – Speak correctly and effectively using the right or proper words.
- Fluency – Manage continuous flow and rhythm of speech.
- Comprehension – Understand and make logical sense of what is received or heard.
- Interactions – Effective responses in a conversation.
Each subject is marked on a scale; 1 is the lowest, with 6 being the highest. The lowest mark determines the final ICAO English rating. For example, an applicant scores 4 for every subject except comprehension, where the mark was 3. As an outcome, the applicant will receive a final mark of 3. Again, the ICAO standard to be English proficient is level 4 or higher. Bottom line, to attain level 4 you must score at least 4 in all subjects.
Required skills
The ICAO English exam measures the ability to speak and understand English in an aviation environment (reading English is not required). The exam consists of how well one can efficiently communicate routine and non-routine situations both in person and over the radio. The exam measures:
- Comprehension – Understand English through various accents and dialects.
- Communication – Communicate information clearly and effectively, especially in emergency conditions.
- Radio communications – Communicate over the radio using standard phraseology and understand distorted English generated by radio anomalies.
What does the ICAO English test Consist of?
Again, the manner the ICAO English test is conducted varies with each country’s civil aviation authority (CAA). An exam used in one country may be completely different than an exam given in another country. According to the ICAO, although the exams may vary, the measured standards are nearly identical to comply with English standards.
The exam is typically conducted on a one-by-one basis between the examinee and examiner. The exam is usually divided into the following areas:
- Listen/respond – This is a role-playing scenario where the examinee listens to an audio recording. The examinee must explain what the audio recording is about and provide an accurate reaction to the scenario.
- Questions – The examiner may field questions about the examinee’s career, including job-related topics. These questions may include:
- Why did you decide to become an Airborne Sensor operator?
- What is your favorite airplane to fly?
- Describe your first flight.
- Photo descriptions – The examinee is presented with various aviation-related photos (routine situation or an emergency), and the examinee must describe what he or she observes.
Reassessment Exams
Besides passing your initial exam, if you passed with a level 4, you must re-take the exam within 3 years. If you passed with a level 5, you must re-take the exam within 5 years. If you passed with a level 6, you’re not required to re-examine, i.e., you are considered an expert.
Summary
As stated before, the manner the ICAO English test is conducted varies with each country’s civil aviation authority (CAA). The purpose of my article is to help present a basic idea of the ICAO English standards and help the Airborne Sensor Operator community recognize and improve a critical unwritten standard area of their professional kit - Communications.
Like I said in my last article, besides the “safety” benefit of having a good grasp of Aviation English, having a level 4 or higher English proficiency can help you get that next best job and make international travel better.
If you are interested in improving your English or know of a fellow aircrew member who would benefit from improving their Aviation English, contact me. I will be more than happy to help you or your fellow crewmembers “Take-Off” regarding the exam requirements in your home country and preparing for the test.
About the ASOG Author - Bernhard Eckhardt:
Bernhard brings over ten years of experience, education, and certification in professional language instruction. His skills and expertise span across specialized industry language training to technical document translations. Additionally, he’s been a passionate aviation enthusiast regarding all aspects of the language and human factors associated with the aviation sector.
Most recently, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eckhardt Linguistics e.U. Additionally, as an avid entrepreneur, Bernhard’s business efforts expand across real estate and luxury services in Europe and North America.
Other noteworthy professional skills include speaking and teaching numerous languages to include German, English, French, Spanish, Croatian, Hungarian, and fundamental knowledge of Czech, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, and Mandarin Chinese.
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