Pilots to learn aviation English

New Delhi: Pilots on international routes would soon need to brush up their ‘aviation English’. Come March 2008, all of them must acquire mandatory level of proficiency, failing which their licences could be revoked. Directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) plans to organise tests for pilots so that they become eligible to fly.
Airlines are likely to make it mandatory for all new pilots to clear the language test as part of their commercial pilot licence (CPL) training, industry sources said.
The tests not only take stock of pilots’ vocabulary levels, but also their pronunciation and diction.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has mandated that pilots must have English proficiency of Level Four to fly in international routes. The move is dictated by the need to avoid communication gap between the pilots and air traffic controllers – one of the primary factors responsible for accidents.
ICAO has categorised levels of English proficiency ranging from one to six, with four being the qualifying threshold. Those failing the tests would have to undertake a two-week refresher progamme before they have a second go. Those with proficiency Level Four have to go for retests every three years while for those topscoring with Level-Six proficiency, it would be an one-time affair.
DGCA director general Mr K Gohain told ET this move would help improve the level of air safety. The issue would also be a major point of discussion in the forthcoming ICAO Assembly latter this month at Montreal, industry sources said.
12/09/07 Sudipto Dey/Economic Times