ICAO Legislation
The main points of the ICAO Aviation English Standardisation legislation:
1. The main requirements are explained in a set of language descriptors in 'document 9835'.
2. All pilots and air traffic controllers must achieve an ICAO 'Level 4' in English in order to keep their license and therefore their jobs. It affects all general, military and civil pilots (including helicopter pilots) who fly on international flights as well as all air traffic controllers who deal with international flights.
3. Level 4' is a series of descriptors which indicate a certain knowledge and understanding of English (i.e. 'can communicate effectively in non critical situations') but do not equate to CEF or any other standards known in the EFL world. It appears to be the equivalent of a strong intermediate but cannot be equated with the Common European Framework because it only focuses on listening and speaking skills.
4. The main emphasis is on communication skills - listening, speaking, interaction, and intelligible pronunciation a priority.
5. Ability to cope with 'Non-routine scenario' or an emergency is a major focus point of the legislation
6. The qualification will be awarded after a one to one test in speaking and communication; however there is no standard test. Individual countries must develop their own or buy in an existing test package. ICAO will not accredit any test or produce their own.
7. Pilots and air traffic controllers must renew their qualification every three years. This might be extended to 6 years if the pilot or ATC officer gains a level 5 or above. This applies to native speakers too, who must demonstrate they can communicate clearly and simply with non native speakers.
8. Member states can 'file a difference' to ICAO which indicates they will not have pilots/ATC officers ready by 5th March 2008. They have to submit a plan of action for the implementation of this language test and comply by 2011. This 'difference' will be made public so it is evident which institutions are not yet to standard.
13.9. The ICAO legislation stresses that the level of English must not just be standard aviation phraseology but a level that will allow clear communication in a non routine situation.
14.10. ICAO also indicated that the burden of this legislation was to be both on the native and non native speaker, meaning that even native speakers have to be tested and to prove they can communicate clearly in international communication.
Download the PDF of the ICAO English scale
For further information on ICAO, please visit their website: http://www.icao.int/
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