ICAO Requirements

ICAO document 9835 outlines the requirements for the Language Proficiency Test.

ICAO has reported that 1100 have lost their lives because of ineffective communication on frequency. It has therefore introduced a law that requires all aircrew to pass and English Language Proficiency Test by 5 March 2008.

Below is a table of the different levels that can be achieved in the English Language Proficiency Test. Level 4 being the minimum level in order for aircrew to remain operational.

Proficiency Level Proficiency testing interval
Level 6: Expert Retesting not required
Level 5: Extended Retesting required every six years
Level 4: Operational (Minimum level) Retesting required every three years
Level 3: Pre-operational Licence not issued /maintained
Level 2: Elementary Licence not issued/maintained
Level 1: Pre-elementary Licence not issued/maintained

Click here for the ICAO Rating Scale

Need for the English Language Proficiency Test

ICAO has identified the lack of proficiency as a major safety issue, and therefore initiated the English Language Proficiency Test.

Many in the Aviation industry have been resistant to the idea of the Language Proficiency test as it will mean that they will no longer be operational.

At Wings English we understand the anxieties pilots and other aircrew may have in this regard. We will therefore work very hard to get students proficient quickly.

Here are two examples where the lack of proficient communication seriously hampered the safety of passengers.

  1. A recent article in 'O Globo' about the dangers of the lack of English proficiency in Brazilian Aviation
  2. One of the worst air disasters was in Tenerife on 27 March 1977 where 583 people lost their lives: Tenerife Air Disaster
  3. Audio sample from Air China