ICAO english proficiency

English language plays a key role in the aviation radio communication. It is widely used by all states of ICAO. Every pilot who wants to operate in the international airspace must have an entry into a license confirming the knowledge of English language at least at the operational level, called the ICAO Level 4. ICAO Level 4 is valid for four years, ICAO Level 5 is valid for 6 years while the ICAO Level 6, the highest level, is bestowed for life and frees the pilot from the obligation to re-approach the exam. To participate in the course we encourage both licensed pilots as well as student-pilots and candidates who are thinking about independent flying beyond the borders of any country having ICAO english proficiency.

Preparatory courses along with an examination of aviation phraseology in English according to ICAO standards are organized periodically by collecting the number of applicants.

The cost of the test together with the refreshing-preliminary course are established individually for each interested student or group of students. You are welcome!

Click here to to see the details of the course with exam.

Click here to download the PDF.

After obtaining a positive exam result you can obtain an entry in the license. In accordance with § 9. 1 Regulation of the Minister of Transport, Construction and Maritime Economy of 2 September 2013, on the licensing of aviation personnel license or authorization is issued at the request submitted to the President Office (No. 17 / LPL-1), which is available here.

International Standards

The current requirements for ELP license endorsement of operational personnel primarily are detailed in ICAO Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing and explained in Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements, ICAO Doc 9835 (see References).

ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale:

The following bullet points list basic concepts and expectations from FCL.055 Language Proficiency, a source frequently referenced by ICAO, EU and UK CAA requirements:

• Aeroplane, helicopter, powered-lift and airship pilots required to use the radio telephony shall not exercise the privileges of their licences and ratings unless they have a language proficiency endorsement on their licence in either English or the language used for radio communications involved in the flight. The endorsement shall indicate the language, the proficiency level and the validity date.
• The applicant for a language proficiency endorsement shall demonstrate, in accordance with Appendix 2 … at least an operational level of language proficiency both in the use of phraseologies and plain language.
• At the operational level, the applicant shall demonstrate the ability to:
  • Communicate effectively in voice-only and in face-to-face situations;
  • Communicate on common and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity;
  • Use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognise and resolve misunderstandings in a general or work-related context;
  • Handle successfully the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events which occurs within the context of a routine work situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar; and,
  • Use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community.
• Intervals for reevaluation of a pilot’s language-proficiency license endorsement depends on the pilot’s date of endorsement for demonstrating Level 4 (Operational Level), Level 5 (Extended Level) or Level 6 (Expert Level) proficiency, as follows:
  • Four years, if the level demonstrated is operational level;
  • Six years, if the level demonstrated is extended level; and,
  • Formal evaluation is not required for applicants who demonstrate expert level (i.e., native and very proficient non-native speakers with a dialect or accent intelligible to the international aeronautical community).
• Holders of an instrument rating, in addition to abilities noted, shall have demonstrated — by the competent authority’s method of assessment — their ability to use the English language at a level that allows them to:
  • Understand all the information relevant to the accomplishment of all phases of a flight, including flight preparation;
  • Use radiotelephony in all phases of flight, including emergency situations; and,
  • Communicate with other crew members during all phases of flight, including flight preparation.