Aviation English Testing

Find out about the Aviation English testing, the legislation and also where to take the test.

Aviation English is a combination of professional jargon and work-oriented uses of English. Pilots and air traffic controllers distinguish between 'standard phraseology' (roger, wilco, affirm etc), which has limited scope but covers all routine aspects of aviation, and 'plain English', which is seen as the ability to communicate using words outside the standard phraseology if they fail to cover what needs to be explained.

From 5th March 2008 all flight crew members and air traffic controllers involved in international traffic will be required to prove their competence in English. This legislation has been imposed by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation after research showed that numerous aviation accidents might have been avoided with better levels of communication.

The Test

For pilots and air traffic controllers to prove their standard of English reaches 'Operational Level 4', they must take a test.

• This will only test listening and speaking skills.
• It will be conducted in a one-to-one situation
• All of the descriptors must be met. If the candidate fails one, they fail the whole test.

Test providers

Find out where students can take the aviation English test. Browse a full list of test centres and their contact details.

FAQs - your questions answered

Find out answers to commonly asked questions about Aviation English, the testing system and the new requirements.

Useful links

Links to aviation English websites plus a list of useful organisations in the world of aviation.

Teaching tips

Advice for both aviation experts with little teaching experience and English teachers with little experience of aviation. Find out more about teaching Aviation English.