Now, English mandatory for career in flying
If you cannot string your nouns, proverbs and conjunctions into a grammatically sound sentence in English, your chances of becoming a pilot, flight engineer or air traffic controller are close to zero.
By Manju V, TNN |
MUMBAI: If you cannot string your nouns, proverbs and conjunctions into a grammatically sound sentence in English, your chances of becoming a pilot, flight engineer or air traffic controller are close to zero.
Following international concern over the role of language as a crucial factor in a number of high-profile accidents, aviation authorities in India have decided to put all flight crew engaged in operations through English language proficiency tests.
The rule came into force in a circular dated March 5, issued by Kanu Gohain, head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It is in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) order which states that pilots and air traffic controllers of its 189 contracting nations- including India -will have to clear ICAO "Operational Level 4", English language proficiency test to retain their rights to operate international flights.
"The ICAO deadline - for each country's aviation regulatory authority - to ensure compliance to this was March 2008," said an aviation official.
Ironically, the DGCA circular on English language proficiency is convoluted. "It has three long sentences that stretch to 19 lines. While the first para is clear, the last line is a bit confusing. Anyway, we think that all of us will have to take the test," said an airline test pilot.
According to this commander, the DGCA circular says that all aircraft personnel, mainly holders of pilot's licence, flight engineer's licence, flight navigator's licence, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators shall have their language proficiency evaluated to ICAO standards by March 5, 2011.
The circular says that those who currently hold these licences will be deemed to have the ability to speak and understand English language to the required ICAO proficiency level 4. But they have to get evaluated for proficiency within a period of three years. Those who will be issued these licences after March 5, too will have to clear the test by March 5, 2011.
DGCA director-general Gohain said: "People with valid licences before the cut-off date won't be affected. New licence applicants will have to clear this test. This is done in requirement with ICAO guidelines." Till now, only foreign pilots were asked to take these tests. Last year, about 35 foreign pilots - most from East European countries - planning to join airlines in India had failed these tests.
"The other problem area is the lackadaisical approach among some pilots in the usage of the standard phrases in the cockpit. Aircrash investigations in the past have pointed out the need to adhere to these standard words," he adds.
(Courtesy timesofindia.com)
Following international concern over the role of language as a crucial factor in a number of high-profile accidents, aviation authorities in India have decided to put all flight crew engaged in operations through English language proficiency tests.
The rule came into force in a circular dated March 5, issued by Kanu Gohain, head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It is in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) order which states that pilots and air traffic controllers of its 189 contracting nations- including India -will have to clear ICAO "Operational Level 4", English language proficiency test to retain their rights to operate international flights.
"The ICAO deadline - for each country's aviation regulatory authority - to ensure compliance to this was March 2008," said an aviation official.
Ironically, the DGCA circular on English language proficiency is convoluted. "It has three long sentences that stretch to 19 lines. While the first para is clear, the last line is a bit confusing. Anyway, we think that all of us will have to take the test," said an airline test pilot.
According to this commander, the DGCA circular says that all aircraft personnel, mainly holders of pilot's licence, flight engineer's licence, flight navigator's licence, air traffic controllers and aeronautical station operators shall have their language proficiency evaluated to ICAO standards by March 5, 2011.
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The circular says that those who currently hold these licences will be deemed to have the ability to speak and understand English language to the required ICAO proficiency level 4. But they have to get evaluated for proficiency within a period of three years. Those who will be issued these licences after March 5, too will have to clear the test by March 5, 2011.
DGCA director-general Gohain said: "People with valid licences before the cut-off date won't be affected. New licence applicants will have to clear this test. This is done in requirement with ICAO guidelines." Till now, only foreign pilots were asked to take these tests. Last year, about 35 foreign pilots - most from East European countries - planning to join airlines in India had failed these tests.
"The other problem area is the lackadaisical approach among some pilots in the usage of the standard phrases in the cockpit. Aircrash investigations in the past have pointed out the need to adhere to these standard words," he adds.
(Courtesy timesofindia.com)
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