In 2008 the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) introduced new world wide requirements for English Language Proficiency (ELP) for pilots and air traffic controllers.
All pilots and air traffic controllers, who are required to use the radio, should have an endorsement on the licence that proves they have demonstrated a level 4, 5 or 6 in English language proficiency for the use of the English language in radio communication.
The required English language proficiency must ensure that there is clear communication between pilots and air traffic controllers.
The English language proficiency requirement is a measure to increase aviation safety, as investigations of several aviation accidents and incidents have uncovered ineffective communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, or among pilots, as the main cause, or one of the contributing factors.
The intention of ELP is not to rule out ICAO radio-phraseology. On the contrary, it is insisted upon that it should always be used in the situations for which it was developed. However, standard ICAO-phraseology is not always sufficient in unknown or unexpected situations. There for it is imperative to be able to have a conversation in plain English in an aeronautical environment. The proficiency in plain English is added to knowledge of standard ICAO radio-phraseology.
The new requirement is different from the exam for the restricted radio telephony certificate, which must be taken in the English language (Article 47 of the Royal Decree of 4.3.2008). The radio telephony certificate cannot be used for the "ENGLISH" endorsement on the licence.
Neither in Belgium nor in the majority of European countries, there is a major problem with proficiency in plain English with pilots and air traffic controllers. A large part of the training and exams are in fact organized in English. In addition communication in the aeronautical environment is greatly influenced by the English language.
As the different national solutions are of temporary nature, until a common European system is established, our country has opted for a transparent system, through the use of external Test Service Providers (TSP), eliminating the need to set up a separate organisation within the public service.
Up until November 2010, only the statement "ENGLISH" was endorsed on Belgian licenses, in spite of having demonstrated level 4, 5 or 6, with a validity of 3 years. This policy was modified by the "Royal Decree of 26 October 2010, amending the Royal Decree of 30 June 2008, on English language proficiency" and its publication in December 2010.
As of December 10th 2010, in addition to the "ENGLISH" endorsement already in use, an expiry date is also stated on the licence. The language proficiency level 4, 5 or 6 is not stated on the license. A language proficiency level 4 has a validity of three years, a language proficiency level 5 has a validity of six years and a language proficiency level 6 does not have an expiry date. For the latter, a statement “ENGLISH UNLIMITED" is endorsed on the license. For an initial endorsement, the date of the exam is used. For a renewal of the endorsement on the license, the validity starts from the moment a new certificate of language proficiency is used to obtain a renewal of the statement "ENGLISH", with an expiry date, on the license.
must demonstrate a level 4, 5 or 6 of proficiency in plain English in an aeronautical environment.
This requirement does not apply to pilots of hot-air balloons, gliders and microlight aircraft.
Pronunciation: Pronunciation, stress, rhythm and intonation are influenced by the native language or regional variation, but only sometimes interfere with ease of understanding.
Structure: Basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns are used creatively and are usually well controlled. Errors may occur, particularly in unusual or unexpected circumstances, but rarely interfere with meaning.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary range and accuracy are usually sufficient to communicate effectively on common, concrete and work related topics. The speaker can often paraphrase successfully when lacking vocabulary in unusual or unexpected circumstances.
Fluency: The speaker produces stretches of language at an appropriate rhythm. There may be occasional loss of fluency upon transition from rehearsed or formulaic speech to spontaneous interaction, but this does not prevent effective communication. The speaker in limited way uses discourse markers or connectors. Fillers are not distracting.
Comprehension: Comprehension is mostly accurate on common, concrete and work-related topics when the accent or variety used is sufficiently intelligible for an international community of users. When the speaker is confronted with a linguistic or situational complication or an unexpected turn of events, comprehension may be slower or require clarification strategies.
Interaction: Responses are usually immediate, appropriate and informative. Initiates and maintains exchanges even when dealing with an unexpected turn of events. Deals adequately with apparent misunderstandings by checking, confirming or clarifying.
The language proficiency exams in Belgium are conducted by external test service providers (TSP) only, recognized by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA).
The conditions to be fulfilled to qualify as test service provider are outlined in the memorandum CIR-LIC 11 of the BCAA. You will find the list of language examining bodies here.
Those who reach the minimum level in English (operational level 4) or higher, should request an “English language proficiency certificate” from the test service provider. The proficiency level (4, 5 or 6) obtained by the candidate, must be mentioned on this certificate.
It is also permitted to submit a certificate of a test service provider recognised by another European Union Member State. It is the responsibility of the candidate to prove to the BCAA that this test service provider is recognised by a foreign Member State of the European Union.
The original certificate must be submitted to the Licensing Department of the BCAA, where the endorsement "ENGLISH" will be added to the licence. Depending on whether it is a level 4, 5 or 6 proficiency, the endorsement on the licence will have a specified period of validity.
An initial "English level 4" on the ELP-certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of the exam. This 3 year period can be renewed for another 3 years, provided that the licence holder once again obtains a level 4 on a new exam, to test the English language proficiency. The period of validity starts from the moment the new ELP-certificate is used to renew the endorsement “ENGLISH”, with an expiry date, on the license.
An initial "English level 5" on the ELP-certificate is valid for 6 years from the date of the exam. This 6 year period can be renewed for another 6 years, provided that the licence holder once again obtains a level 5 on a new exam, to test the English language proficiency. The period of validity starts from the moment the new ELP-certificate is used to renew the endorsement “ENGLISH”, with an expiry date, on the license.
An "English level 6" on the ELP-certificate is non-expiring from the date of the exam. An endorsement "ENGLISH UNLIMITED" will be added to the licence.
Holders of a
may have "ENGLISH”, with an expiry date endorsed on the licence, or permit, if they have passed an exam to test the English language proficiency. In this case a proficiency level 4 is also valid for 3 years, a proficiency level 5 is valid for 6 years and level 6 is non-expiring.
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