English for Pilots in Buenos Aires - Part I

English, for now, is the language of international aviation.

Thus, pilots, airline flight crews, and air traffic controllers are obligated by international norms to show a measurable proficiency in the English language.

If you currently work or want a career in the aviation industry, you need to pay attention to these guidelines.

ICAO Regulations

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a Level 4 competence must be achieved.

In broad terms, a pilot, flight crew member, and air traffic controller must:

1. communicate effectively in voice-only (telephone/radiotelephone) and in face-to-face situations;
   
2. communicate on common, concrete and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity;
   
3. use appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and to recognize and resolve misunderstandings (e.g. to check, confirm, or clarify information) in a general or work-related context;
   
4. handle successfully and with relative ease the linguistic challenges presented by a complication or unexpected turn of events that occurs within the context of a routine work situation or communicative task with which they are otherwise familiar; and
   
5. use a dialect or accent which is intelligible to the aeronautical community.

Our next post will relay exactly how these broad descriptors are defined by the ICAO.

Hire and English Coach, Professor Winn

Are you in Buenos Aires and need an English coach? If you currently work or seek a career in the aviation industry, you can easily improve your English skills today!

Hire Professor Winn as your English coach!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!