Plain Aviation English – Qualitative and Quantitative Interpretation

The article deals with the still topical problem of plain aviation English. This problem has been highlighted by ICAO in its ‘Manual on the Implementation of ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements’ (Doc 9835). According to this ‘Manual’, each pilot and air traffic controller are required to have a good ranked command of not only standardized radiotelephony phraseologies which remains dominant but also of plain English intended to be used in the cases which are not covered by the phraseologies. As far as the authors are aware, the concept of plain aviation English has remained mainly declarative so far. The article under consideration is aimed to make up qualitatively quantitatively for this lack. To master plain aviation English, along with the phraseologies, means in fact to acquire natural language competency.

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What constitutes professional communication in aviation: Is language proficiency enough for testing purposes?

Language Testing ◽

10.1177/0265532218758127 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 403-426 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hyejeong Kim

Keyword(s):

Language Proficiency ◽

Limited English Proficiency ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Professional Knowledge ◽

Oral Communication ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Professional Communication ◽

Civil Aviation ◽

Air Traffic Controller ◽

Interactional Competence

This paper aims to identify what aviation experts consider to be the key features of effective communication by examining in detail their commentary on a 17-minute segment of recorded radiotelephony discourse between a Russian pilot and a Korean air traffic controller. The segment was played to three practising pilots and three air traffic controllers. Their commentary on the qualities of communication displayed in the interaction was recorded and coded thematically, using a grounded ethnography approach. The analysis revealed that although the Russian pilot was viewed as having limited English proficiency, the strategies he used to make himself understood were evaluated positively as fulfilling the requirements of the professional role. By contrast, the Korean air traffic controller, although not evaluated as having limited proficiency, was criticized for his lack of professional knowledge. The discourse analysis and the feedback given by these expert informants highlight not only the nature of the miscommunication arising in unexpected situations, but also the multiple factors that may contribute to it. While language proficiency is clearly an issue, there are many other sources of miscommunication that emerge during the exchange. These findings are used to critique the narrow, language-focused oral proficiency construct as articulated in the holistic descriptors and the rating scale stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, 2010) as the basis for tests of aviation English worldwide. Instead the paper proposes an expanded construct of oral communication incorporating elements of professional knowledge and behaviour with a focus on interactional competence specific to this context.

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CLARITY AND PRONUNCIATION OF AB-INITIO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Aviation ◽

10.3846/aviation.2021.15906 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 252-261

Author(s):

Haryani Hamzah

Keyword(s):

Ab Initio ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

First Language ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Conversational Analysis ◽

Air Traffic Controller ◽

Air Traffic Controllers ◽

Aviation Training ◽

Language Proficiency Test ◽

Communication Errors

The increasing number of aircraft flying around the world has led to the requirement for air traffic controllers to improve their communication skills to face high demand traffic in the future. The paper examines the communication errors in the pilot-controller communication of six ab-initio air traffic controllers during simulation training. More than three hours of conversation were collected and analyzed qualitatively using conversational analysis. The transcribed data yielded a total of 62 instances of communication errors. The data revealed that clarity and pronunciation of ab-initio controllers contributed to problematic communication and reduced the efficiency of the air traffic controllers in communicating. In contrast, pronunciation errors rarely diminished comprehension amongst the controllers and pilots who share a similar first language and are familiar with the use of English in a lingua franca setting. The study also describes other instances of communication errors in pilot-controller communication. The results indicate that ab-initio air traffic controllers need to be proficient in three main areas in pilot controller communication to improve their performance: aviation phraseology, aviation English, and aviation knowledge. The findings suggest that pilots and air traffic controllers should achieve level 4 (operational) in aviation language proficiency test, before proceeding to aviation training that requires them to be proficient in their language skills.

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The challenge of regional accents for aviation English language proficiency standards: A study of difficulties in understanding in air traffic control–pilot communications

Ergonomics ◽

10.1080/00140130903470033 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 229-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

T. Tiewtrakul ◽

S. R. Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Language Proficiency ◽

Traffic Control ◽

Air Traffic Control ◽

English Language ◽

English Language Proficiency ◽

Air Traffic ◽

English Language Proficiency Standards ◽

Aviation English

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O efeito retroativo do EPLIS nas percepções de professores

BELT – Brazilian English Language Teaching Journal ◽

10.15448/2178-3640.2017.1.26863 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 24

Author(s):

Paula Ribeiro e Souza

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Traffic Control ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

English Language ◽

Teaching Experience ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Civil Aviation ◽

Air Traffic Controllers ◽

Aviation English

The Aviation English Proficiency Exam for the Brazilian Airspace Control System (EPLIS) was developed in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) language policy regarding the assessment of English language proficiency for air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators. A high-stakes test by any account, EPLIS was delivered only to in-service air traffic personnel for the first 7 years. In 2014, however, pre-service air traffic controllers started sitting EPLIS in the last semester of their two-year training program. This study aimed at investigating the washback effect of EPLIS on the English teachers’ perceptions in an Air Traffic Control Initial Training Program. Teachers responded to a questionnaire about the influence of EPLIS on different aspects of language teaching and learning. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out and the results showed that Aviation English teaching experience andknowledge about the exam interact with washback intensity.

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Predictive Validity of a Selection Procedure for Air Traffic Controller Trainees

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000039 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 19-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yvonne Pecena ◽

Doris Keye ◽

Kristin Conzelmann ◽

Dietrich Grasshoff ◽

Peter Maschke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Predictive Validity ◽

Selection Procedure ◽

Air Traffic ◽

Performance Criteria ◽

Training Phase ◽

Air Traffic Controller ◽

Training Performance ◽

Navigation Service ◽

German Aerospace ◽

Training Success

The job of an air traffic controller (ATCO) is very specific and demanding. The assessment of potential suitable candidates requires a customized and efficient selection procedure. The German Aerospace Center DLR conducts a highly selective, multiple-stage selection procedure for ab initio ATCO applicants for the German Air Navigation Service Provider DFS. Successful applicants start their training with a training phase at the DFS Academy and then continue with a unit training phase in live traffic. ATCO validity studies are scarcely reported in the international scientific literature and have mainly been conducted in a military context with only small and male samples. This validation study encompasses the data from 430 DFS ATCO trainees, starting with candidate selection and extending to the completion of their training. Validity analyses involved the prediction of training success and several training performance criteria derived from initial training. The final training success rate of about 79% was highly satisfactory and higher than that of other countries. The findings demonstrated that all stages of the selection procedure showed predictive validity toward training performance. Among the best predictors were scores measuring attention and multitasking ability, and ratings on general motivation from the interview.

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